Accident to the Mooney M20J registered D-EIKE on 30/08/2024 at Avignon
Loss of control during take-off run, runway veer-off
This is a courtesy translation by the BEA of the Final Report on the Safety Investigation. As accurate as the translation may be, the original text in French is the work of reference.
Note: the following information is principally based on the pilot’s statements. This information has not been independently validated by the BEA.
1. HISTORY OF THE FLIGHT
The pilot took off from runway 17 of Avignon - Caumont aerodrome for a training flight of one hour south of mount Ventoux. The take-off parameters were normal. Shortly before the rotation, at around 60 kt, the pilot felt the aeroplane veer to the left and decided to reject the take-off by cutting off the power. He tried to counter the aeroplane’s deflection to the LH side with the yaw pedals but the aeroplane started zigzagging, in a movement that amplified even though the speed was decreasing. The pilot could not control this effect. He felt the tires skidding on the runway and avoided braking.
The aeroplane ran off the LH side of the runway and through an area of grass, on a path that was now straight. The pilot estimated that the aeroplane’s speed at this point was between 20 and 30 kt. The area of grass had a lot of bumps and the aeroplane bounced several times. The nose gear ruptured and the nose of the aeroplane sank into the ground around 80 m from the edge of the runway.
Figure 1: photo of aeroplane (source: BEA)
2. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
2.1 Pilot information
The 72-year-old pilot held an aeroplane Private Pilot Licence (PPL (A)) valid until 31 March 2025. He had logged a total of 452 flight hours including 140 hours on type, 26 hours 40 minutes in the previous 90 days, of which 24 hours and 50 minutes on type and 7 hours in the previous month of which 6 hours on type.
2.2 Meteorological information
The pilot indicated that at the time of the accident, the meteorological conditions were a south-westerly wind of 7 kt, CAVOK, temperature of 35°C and QNH 1015 hPa.
2.3 Pilot’s statement
The pilot indicated that he thought that the aeroplane had swerved due to a braking problem or flat tire. Examinations ruled these hypotheses out.
The pilot believed that he must, without realizing it, have applied the left brake when the aeroplane started its rotation. He added that his flying position seemed correct.
He also specified that the aeroplane was in excellent condition and regularly serviced.
February 2025