On April 3, 1987, a Champion 7GCBC (registration N1653G) operated by Budd B. Palmer was involved in an aviation accident near Rock Rover, WY. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to ensure the takeoff surface was suitable for the aircraft's weight and performance requirements, which resulted in an overrun and subsequent impact with a rock. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An aircraft attempting takeoff from a pasture runway failed to reach rotation speed due to soft ground conditions caused by melting snow. The plane overran the end of the usable area, struck a rock, and flipped over.
What happened
The pilot was utilizing an unpasture field for the takeoff phase of flight. Environmental conditions at the time included calm winds and a slightly uphill gradient along the runway path. However, the surface quality was compromised by a low-lying area within the pasture that had become soft due to melting snow.
As the aircraft accelerated down the available distance, it failed to achieve the necessary takeoff speed before reaching the end of the usable ground. During the subsequent overrun, the landing gear or fuselage contacted a rock embedded in the terrain. This impact caused the aircraft to flip over.
The investigation
The examination focused on the takeoff performance and the condition of the departure site. Investigators noted that the soft ground conditions significantly impeded acceleration. The presence of the rock at the end of the overrun area was identified as the immediate cause of the rollover.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to ensure the takeoff surface was suitable for the aircraft's weight and performance requirements, which resulted in an overrun and subsequent impact with a rock.