Agricultural aircraft overruns sod strip during takeoff

Casualties unknown • Belding, MI, US

An agricultural aircraft attempting to depart a short sod airstrip encountered soggy ground, failed to reach rotation speed, and ran off the end of the runway.

What happened

The pilot was operating an aircraft loaded with malathion for agricultural application when he attempted to depart from a sod airstrip. The departure surface was only 2,000 feet in length. During the takeoff roll, the aircraft encountered a soggy portion of the runway. This condition prevented the aircraft from accelerating to the necessary rotation speed. Consequently, the aircraft ran off the departure end of the runway. It then struck a small tree before impacting a dirt bank and coming to a stop.

The investigation

The pilot provided a statement regarding the events leading up to the accident. He reported that the soggy condition of the airstrip was the primary factor preventing acceleration. No mechanical failures or other operational errors were cited in the narrative provided.

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to accelerate to rotation speed due to encountering a soggy portion of the runway during takeoff.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1989-06-03 Cessna 188A accident near Belding, MI?

An agricultural aircraft attempting to depart a short sod airstrip encountered soggy ground, failed to reach rotation speed, and ran off the end of the runway.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1989-06-03 involved a Cessna 188A, registration N5658J, operated by Studer, Aflred, at Belding, MI.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's failure to accelerate to rotation speed due to encountering a soggy portion of the runway during takeoff.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X28513. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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