What happened
On August 1, 2007, at approximately 15:20, a Tecnam P92E microlight aircraft, registration PH-3J6, was preparing for an overland flight from Lelystad Airport (EHLE) to Middenmeer. As the pilot applied power for takeoff from runway 23, the aircraft's nose pitched upward almost immediately. Despite this unusual behavior, the pilot continued the takeoff roll. Shortly after lifting off the ground, the aircraft experienced a yawing motion and subsequently stalled on the left wing, resulting in a hard impact with the ground. The two crew members on board escaped the accident without no injuries, though the aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the configuration of the aircraft and the pilot's actions during the takeoff phase. It was established that the elevator trim was set entirely to the aft position, a setting that had been used for the landing during a previous flight. The pilot admitted that while a checklist was performed prior to lining up on the runway, the specific check for the trim setting was omitted.
Furthermore, the investigation examined the pilot's response to the aircraft's behavior. The pilot noted that the nose-up tendency was felt as soon as the throttle was advanced, yet the decision was made to proceed with the takeoff rather than aborting. Once airborne, the aircraft began to yaw to the left. The pilot was reportedly distracted by the high pitch attitude and may have overcorrected using the rudder, potentially inducing a slipping flight condition.
Findings
- The incorrect elevator trim setting was the primary cause of the accident, creating a nose-heavy pitch moment that led to low airspeed.
- The pilot failed to complete the full pre-takeoff checklist, leaving the trim in the aft position from a previous landing.
- The takeoff was not aborted despite the pilot recognizing the immediate and abnormal upward pitch of the nose upon applying power.
- The aircraft entered an asymmetric stall on the left wing due to a combination of low airspeed and excessive rudder use to correct a yawing motion, which may have caused a slip.