On June 12, 1983, a Piper PA-38-112 (registration N24802) was involved in an aviation accident near Strongville, OH. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during takeoff, which resulted in insufficient climb performance and an aborted takeoff with insufficient runway remaining. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An aircraft collided with trees during an aborted takeoff after failing to climb out of ground effect. The instructor pilot elected to abort but lacked sufficient runway distance to stop before reaching the end of the paved surface.
What happened
The aircraft was involved in a collision with trees located at the departure end of the runway. This incident occurred during an aborted takeoff sequence. An instructor pilot, who was conducting a demonstration flight, reported that the aircraft rotated to a normal climb attitude but failed to climb out of ground effect.
After deciding to abort the takeoff, the pilot determined that there was insufficient runway remaining to stop the aircraft before reaching the end of the runway.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the mechanical condition and flight dynamics during the aborted takeoff. The primary finding was related to the aircraft's performance relative to ground effect during the rotation phase.
Findings
Insufficient runway remaining to stop the aircraft before reaching the end of the runway after the decision to abort.
Failure to climb out of ground effect despite rotating to a normal climb attitude.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during takeoff, which resulted in insufficient climb performance and an aborted takeoff with insufficient runway remaining.