What happened
The accident occurred at Crosby Municipal Airport, which was officially closed for runway construction and resurfacing. A Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) had been issued to inform pilots of this closure. The pilot and passengers were employees of an engineering firm involved in the airport's construction project.
Earlier in the day, the pilot of N8271P had successfully landed on the closed runway. At the time of the accident, the runway was occupied by two 3-ton dump trucks and paving equipment. The pilot was shown a grass strip that was suitable for takeoff but elected to use the paved runway instead.
During the takeoff roll, the aircraft struck paving equipment located approximately 1440 feet from the new taxiway used by N8271P to access Runway 30. According to the aircraft's takeoff performance charts, a ground run of over 1000 feet is required, with over 1600 feet of distance needed to clear a 50-foot obstacle.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the pilot's decision-making process and the operational status of the airport. It was determined that the runway was not cleared for aircraft operations due to ongoing construction activities. The presence of heavy machinery, including dump trucks and paving equipment, created significant hazards on the paved surface.
Findings
Contributing factors included the pilot's failure to adhere to the NOTAM closing the airport and the decision to utilize a runway occupied by construction vehicles despite being advised of a suitable grass strip. The aircraft was not injured in the sense that no one was hurt, but the aircraft sustained damage from the collision.
Safety message
Pilots must always check NOTAMs for airport closures and conditions before flight. If an airport is closed due to construction, pilots should seek alternative airports or use designated safe areas if explicitly authorized and available.