What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2007-09-30 involved a Tecnam P2002-JF, registration G-NESE, at Lude Farm, Blair Atholl, Perthshire, GB.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The aircraft veered off the runway after the nosewheel lifted due to a bump in the grass, leading the left main wheel into long grass; the investigation also highlighted a potential for restricted rudder movement when the control column is fully aft.

Tecnam P2002-JF veers off grass runway during takeoff

A private flight involving a Tecnam P2002-JF ended in substantial airframe damage after the aircraft veered into a drainage ditch during its takeoff roll at Lude Farm.

What happened

On 30 September 2007, a Tecnam P2002-JF, registration G-NESE, was performing a private flight departing from Lude Farm in Blair Atholl, Perthshire. The aircraft was the final departure in a group of aircraft using the dry, grass Runway 15. After the pilot completed pre-takeoff checks and set 15 degrees of flap, the takeoff roll commenced with full power and right rudder applied.

As the aircraft reached a speed of approximately 15 kt, it encountered a bump on the grass surface. This caused the steerable nosewheel to lift from the ground, leading to a loss of directional control. The aircraft veered toward the left side of the runway. Despite the pilot's attempts to correct the deviation, the left main wheel entered the long grass adjacent to the runway, which accelerated the leftward turn. The aircraft subsequently entered a drainage ditch, resulting in substantial airframe damage. The pilot was able to shut down the engine and fuel systems and exit the aircraft without injury.

The investigation

The investigation examined the aircraft's handling characteristics and the mechanical state of the flight controls. Investigators looked into whether the rudder's effectiveness was compromised by the position of the control column. It was noted that on this specific aircraft model, when the control column is fully aft, the trailing edge of the all-flying tailplane can come into contact with the rudder trim tab. This physical interference has the potential to restrict rudder movement.

Findings

The aircraft encountered a bump on the grass runway, causing the nosewheel to lift.
The loss of nosewheel contact reduced directional stability.
The left main wheel entered long grass, which increased the rate of the leftward turn.
Potential rudder movement restriction was identified when the control column is in the full aft position due to interference between the tailplane and the rudder trim tab.

Safety action

Following the discovery of potential control interference, the PFA raised an Airworthiness Occurrence Report. While ground trials conducted by the PFA concluded that adequate rudder authority exists at low speeds for this type, the trials also confirmed that interference between the tailplane and trim tab can occur on some aircraft of this model. Consequently, a fleet-wide check was initiated, emphasizing the need for pilots to verify 'full and free' flight control movement, specifically checking rudder freedom when the control column is fully aft.