What happened
On February 25, 2013, a Pa 46-500TP (registration OK-CFB) was performing a takeoff from Příbram Airport. The flight was intended to be a VFR/IFR combination flight from Příbram to Ukraine. The aircraft was carrying a pilot and three passengers.
Shortly after rotation, the pilot subjectively perceived a loss of engine power, noting that the aircraft was failing to climb and was losing airspeed. At an altitude of approximately 5 meters, the pilot realized the aircraft was approaching an area of the runway that had not been cleared of snow. To avoid a more serious collision, the pilot decided to perform an emergency landing straight ahead on the remaining paved surface covered in wet snow.
The aircraft made a hard landing on the contaminated runway, causing the nose gear to collapse and the propeller to strike the ground. The impact caused the aircraft to skid approximately 150 meters, rotate 180 degrees, and come to a stop in a nose-down position. There were no injuries among the four occupants, though the aircraft sustained extensive damage to the engine, propeller, landing gear, and wing center section.
The investigation
The ÚZPLN investigation examined the aircraft's weight and balance records, the runway conditions, and the engine performance. The investigation established that the aircraft was significantly overweight at the time of takeoff. While the pilot had used a performance calculation tool, he entered an incorrect basic empty weight, leading to an erroneous calculation of the takeoff weight.
Engine inspections revealed no mechanical failures that would have limited power or performance. The investigation also noted that the runway had been partially cleared, but the remaining snow and the uneven edges of the cleared strip created complex conditions. The investigation also looked into the use of flaps, noting that the aircraft may have been rotated too early or that flaps may have been retracted prematurely, which would have altered the pitch moment and climb gradient.
Findings
- The aircraft was operating significantly above its maximum takeoff weight (MTOW), with the takeoff weight calculated at 2,464 kg compared to a limit of 2,199.9 kg.
- The pilot incorrectly entered the basic empty weight into the performance calculation software.
- The pilot misidentified the lack of climb performance—caused by the heavy weight and potentially improper flap usage—as an engine power loss.
- The takeoff was performed from a limited runway length that had not been fully cleared of snow.
- The pilot's decision to land straight ahead was determined to be the only correct course of action given the critical situation.