What happened
On January 31, 2004, a student pilot was performing a VFR training flight from Benešov Airport (LKBE). During the takeoff roll on runway 27, the pilot realized that the Piper PA-28-181, registration OK-MTT, was failing to reach the necessary rotation speed. This was due to the runway surface being covered in a 15 cm layer of wet snow, which significantly hindered the aircraft's acceleration.
Recognizing the lack of airspeed, the pilot decided to abort the takeoff. While exiting the runway at an increased speed, the aircraft entered a skid and came to a stop at the left edge of the runway, rotated approximately 90 degrees to the left. The aircraft sustained minor damage, specifically a bent fork and damaged composite cowling on the nose gear.
The investigation
The ÚZPLN investigation established that the pilot was properly trained and medically certified for VFR flight. The aircraft was airworthy, and the weight and balance were within manufacturer limits. The investigation focused on the runway conditions and the pilot's handling of the aircraft during the aborted takeoff. It was noted that the instructor, who prepared the flight, did not sufficiently account for the student's limited experience in relation to the challenging runway conditions.
Findings
- The runway surface, covered in 15 cm of wet snow, was unsuitable for takeoffs and taxiing by a student pilot with limited experience.
- The primary cause of the incident was the pilot's inability to maintain control during the runway exit following the aborted takeoff under the difficult conditions created by the wet snow.
- The instructor failed to consider the actual state of the aerodrome surfaces in relation to the student's skill level during flight preparation.