What happened
On Tuesday, May 20, 2003, a Robin DR 221 was performing a sightseeing flight at the Sarlat aerodrome. The flight, which included the pilot and three children, was part of a series of scheduled discovery flights. Due to gusty wind conditions, morning flights had been rescheduled to the afternoon.
During the takeoff roll on runway 29, the aircraft encountered a wind gust approximately 50 meters into the roll. This gust caused the aircraft to deviate from the runway centerline by roughly 30 degrees, directing the aircraft toward the grassy area to the left of the paved surface. Rather than aborting the takeoff, the pilot continued the roll across approximately 100 meters of high grass. The pilot attempted to lift off at an estimated speed of 75 km/h. Upon leaving the ground, the aircraft landed flat and underwent a 90-degree pivot to the right. The impact caused the main landing gear to break and the propeller to strike the ground.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the pilot's decision-making following the initial runway deviation and the aerodynamic conditions at the time of the accident. Investigators noted that the takeoff speed reached by the pilot was significantly lower than the 100 km/h takeoff speed specified in the aircraft's flight manual. Meteorological data at the time indicated winds from 270 degrees at 10 to 15 knots, with gusts reaching 20 to 25 knots.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the pilot's persistence in continuing the takeoff roll while off the paved runway.
- The aircraft's main landing gear and propeller sustained significant damage due to the impact with the ground.
- There were no fatalities or injuries among the four occupants.