What happened
On June 14, 2012, a Piper Aircraft PA2 axially PA28, registration F-HASR, was preparing for a flight from Bordeaux-Yvrac to La Rochelle. The aircraft was carrying the pilot and one passenger. During the takeoff roll on runway 11, the pilot noticed that the engine RPM was only 2,500, which was below the manufacturer's recommended 2,700 RPM.
Concerned by this discrepancy, the pilot checked the parking brake to ensure it was not engaged. Despite the low engine performance, the pilot continued the takeoff roll. By the two-thirds mark of the runway, the aircraft had reached a speed of 50 knots. The pilot then applied back pressure on the controls, but the aircraft failed to climb and remained trapped in ground effect without further acceleration.
In response, the pilot reduced power and attempted to land on the remaining portion of the runway. However, the aircraft could not be stopped using the brakes, eventually breaching the perimeter fence and coming to a halt in a nearby vineyard approximately 50 meters beyond the runway end. The aircraft sustained heavy damage.
The investigation
The investigation examined the aircraft's configuration, the environmental conditions, and the pilot's experience. At the time of the accident, the aircraft's weight and balance were within manufacturer limits. The investigation noted that while the flight manual specifies different rotation speeds for standard runways versus short or soft runways (using different flap settings), the pilot could not recall the specific flap setting used during this departure.
Meteorological data indicated that while winds at nearby stations were primarily from the north or west, a southeasterly wind had been established earlier in the day, suggesting a potential shift in wind direction occurred during the takeoff roll. The pilot had a total of 85 flight hours, with only 12 hours specifically on this aircraft type, and had recently returned to flying after a nine-month hiatus.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the late decision to abort the takeoff after the pilot had already identified abnormal acceleration during the takeoff roll.
- The pilot's limited general flight experience and lack of recent flying proficiency may have impaired his decision-making capabilities.
- A shift in wind direction during the takeoff roll may have further degraded the aircraft's takeoff performance.