Incident Overview

Date: Sunday 3 February 1985
Aircraft Type: PADC/Britten-Norman BN-2A-21 Islander
Owner/operator: Geelong Air Travel
Registration Number: VH-IGT
Location: Wilton Airfield, NSW – ÿ Australia
Phase of Flight: Take off
Status: Substantial, repaired
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 12
Component Affected: Elevator trim system.Elevator trim system.
Investigating Agency: BASIBASI
Category: Accident
An aircraft took off with insufficient airspeed, leading to a controlled over-run onto a strip. The pilot’s actions of abandoning take-off and applying maximum braking were insufficient to prevent the aircraft’s movement. Excessive rearward pressure on the control column due to nose-down trim was encountered, resulting in a loss of braking effectiveness. The worn brake linings and discs limited the aircraft’s ability to achieve full braking, contributing to the over-run.An aircraft took off with insufficient airspeed, leading to a controlled over-run onto a strip. The pilot’s actions of abandoning take-off and applying maximum braking were insufficient to prevent the aircraft’s movement. Excessive rearward pressure on the control column due to nose-down trim was encountered, resulting in a loss of braking effectiveness. The worn brake linings and discs limited the aircraft’s ability to achieve full braking, contributing to the over-run.

Description

During the take-off roll the aircraft did not achieve flying speed by the point where it was normally expected to become airborne. The pilot abandoned the take-off and applied maximum braking, but was unable to prevent the aircraft over-running the strip. The aircraft broke through the boundary fence and came to rest in a small ditch. The reason the aircraft did not achieve flying speed could not be positively determined. In this aircraft type, it is important that the elevator trim is correctly set for take-off. If nose-down trim is inadvertently applied, excessive rearward pressure is required on the control column in order to raise the nose. However, the trim position set by the pilot was not established. When the take-off attempt was abandoned, there was probably sufficient strip remaining to stop the aircraft. However, the brake linings and discs were worn to the extent where full brake effectiveness could not be obtained.

Primary Cause

Incorrect elevator trim setting leading to excessive rearward pressure on the control column during take-off.Incorrect elevator trim setting leading to excessive rearward pressure on the control column during take-off.

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