Accident Overview
On 27 February 2015 at approximately 10:10 local time, a Tecnam P2008 aircraft, registered F-HJYR, was departing from runway 25 at Plessis-Belleville aerodrome (Oise, France) for a solo training flight. The pilot, the sole occupant, reported that the aircraft was abruptly yawed to the left during the takeoff roll and exited the side of the runway. The nose wheel collapsed after entering a hole in the ground. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
Pilot Information
The 47-year-old pilot held a private pilot license issued in 1985 but had ceased flying in 1988 with a total of 111 flight hours. He resumed flight training in November 2014 with the aim of renewing his single-engine piston class rating. At the time of the accident, he had accumulated 6 flight hours since resuming, all on the Tecnam P2008. His training consisted of three dual-control handling sessions in November 2014, followed by two navigation flights in January and February 2015. The accident flight was his first solo flight since resuming piloting activities. The pilot stated that he met his instructor at the aero club, who authorized him to perform several traffic patterns alone. He mentioned that the Tecnam P2008's nose wheel is not linked to the rudder pedals. He believed he was surprised by a wind gust.
Weather Conditions
Meteorological conditions reported by the METAR from Paris Charles de Gaulle airport, located approximately 16 km from Plessis-Belleville at the time of the accident, were CAVOK with wind from 320° at 13 knots. Runway 25 at Plessis-Belleville is oriented at a magnetic heading of 247°. The crosswind component from the right (from 320° relative to runway heading 247° yields a crosswind from the right) does not explain the left deviation.
Aircraft Characteristics
The Tecnam P2008 is equipped with a free-castering nose wheel that is not connected to the rudder pedals. To counteract the gyroscopic effect of the propeller during power application for takeoff, differential braking is required until the rudder becomes aerodynamically effective.
Probable Cause and Conclusion
Insufficient lateral control during the takeoff roll was the probable cause of the runway excursion.