At 0722 Eastern time, the airplane was destroyed when it impacted terrain while taking off. The commercial pilot and sole occupant was fatally injured. Visual conditions prevailed. A witness observed the accident airplane in the engine run-up area. The run-up appeared normal; however, the witness noted that the airplanes flaps were extended. After the run-up, the airplane taxied toward the runway with both flaps still extended. After takeoff, the airplanes initial climbout was “normal” until it was 50 to 70 feet in the air. The airplane then entered a “slight” left bank, then made a “steep climb” to 250 to 300 feet. As it climbed, the angle of bank appeared to increase. As the airplane reached the top of its climb, the nose “came down and went straight into the ground.” Upon impact, a postcrash fire ensued. Post-crash measurements of the airplanes flap actuators revealed the right flap was fully extended, while the left flap was fully retracted. The flap actuating system was retained for further examination.
December 4, 2007, New Castle, Del., Beech 60 Duke
At 0722 Eastern time, the airplane was destroyed when it impacted terrain while taking off. The commercial pilot and sole occupant was fatally injured. Visual conditions prevailed. A witness observed the accident airplane in the engine run-up area. The run-up appeared normal; however, the witness noted that the airplanes flaps were extended. After the run-up, the airplane taxied toward the runway with both flaps still extended. After takeoff, the airplanes initial climbout was "normal" until it was 50 to 70 feet in the air. The airplane then entered a "slight" left bank, then made a "steep climb" to 250 to 300 feet. As it climbed, the angle of bank appeared to increase. As the airplane reached the top of its climb, the nose "came down and went straight into the ground." Upon impact, a postcrash fire ensued.
Key Takeaways:
- An airplane crashed shortly after takeoff, fatally injuring the commercial pilot, after being observed taxiing with extended flaps.
- After an initial normal climb, the aircraft performed a steep climb to 250-300 feet, exhibiting an increasing left bank before the nose dropped and it impacted the ground.
- Post-crash examination revealed a critical asymmetric flap condition: the right flap was fully extended while the left flap was fully retracted.
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