Aircraft Overruns Runway During Aborted Takeoff

Casualties unknown • Melbourne, FL, US

An instructional flight ended in a runway excursion and collision with trees after the pilot aborted a takeoff following a perceived loss of engine power.

What happened

During an instructional flight, a student pilot was performing a touch-and-go landing when the flight instructor decided to abort the takeoff immediately after liftoff. The aircraft was operating on runway 32 with a wind from 080 degrees at 12 knots and a density altitude of approximately 1,400 feet.

The instructor reported feeling that the engine was not developing full power. During the aborted takeoff, the aircraft traveled down the 4,000-foot runway, reaching the halfway point before the decision to abort was made. The pilot did not begin applying brakes until the aircraft was approximately 500 to 600 feet from the departure end of the runway. Consequently, the aircraft ran off the end of the runway, passed through the clear zone, and collided with trees.

There were 3 persons on board, including the flight instructor, a student pilot, and an observer passenger; all were not injured.

The investigation

A post-accident investigation of the engine revealed no evidence of malfunction.

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to initiate braking during the aborted takeoff until the aircraft was near the end of the runway.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1989-05-18 Piper PA-28RT-201 accident near Melbourne, FL?

An instructional flight ended in a runway excursion and collision with trees after the pilot aborted a takeoff following a perceived loss of engine power.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1989-05-18 involved a Piper PA-28RT-201, registration N29241, operated by Flight Safety Int'l, Inc., at Melbourne, FL.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's failure to initiate braking during the aborted takeoff until the aircraft was near the end of the runway.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X28379. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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