WTF: DH-89A at CYXX, July 2018
Posted: Fri Mar 29, 2019 5:55 am
[quote]In a Transportation Safety Board Investigation Report issued on March 28, investigators cited a strong crosswind as a possible factor that led to the crash of a vintage de Havilland DH-89A Dragon Rapide shortly after takeoff during the Abbotsford International Airshow at British Columbia’s Abbotsford airport (CYXX) last July.
ATC ground controllers had advised the Dragon pilot that winds were 180° at 11 knots, gusting to 18. Runway 19 was available, but aircraft displays occupied 60 percent of the runway’s length. The pilot decided to use Runway 25 instead, commencing the takeoff roll from its intersection of Taxiway D. The crosswind component was calculated to be 18 knots at the moment of takeoff. The Dragon encountered gusting winds approximately 30 feet above the runway and lost airspeed, causing it to nose over and crash just beyond the edge of Runway 25. The pilot and one passenger were seriously injured, and two passengers sustained minor injuries.[/quote]
Uuuummmm .... any reason why he didn't accelerate in ground effect after takeoff to a safe speed before attempting to climb?
ATC ground controllers had advised the Dragon pilot that winds were 180° at 11 knots, gusting to 18. Runway 19 was available, but aircraft displays occupied 60 percent of the runway’s length. The pilot decided to use Runway 25 instead, commencing the takeoff roll from its intersection of Taxiway D. The crosswind component was calculated to be 18 knots at the moment of takeoff. The Dragon encountered gusting winds approximately 30 feet above the runway and lost airspeed, causing it to nose over and crash just beyond the edge of Runway 25. The pilot and one passenger were seriously injured, and two passengers sustained minor injuries.[/quote]
Uuuummmm .... any reason why he didn't accelerate in ground effect after takeoff to a safe speed before attempting to climb?