Casualties unknown

Aircraft Overruns Runway After Aborted Takeoff on Hot Day (N3781A)

Mead, WA, US

On August 22, 1991, a Piper PA-22-135 (registration N3781A) operated by Dennis W. Van Fossen was involved in an aviation accident near Mead, WA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's decision to initiate takeoff with the aircraft loaded near maximum gross weight under hot day conditions with unfavorable winds, which resulted in insufficient performance to become airborne and a subsequent runway overrun. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot attempted takeoff in an aircraft loaded near maximum gross weight under hot conditions with unfavorable winds. The plane failed to gain lift, leading to a late abort and runway overrun.

What happened

The incident occurred during a takeoff attempt conducted on a day with high temperatures and unfavorable wind conditions. The pilot had loaded the aircraft to near its maximum gross weight for takeoff. As the aircraft accelerated down the runway and reached the designated rotation speed, the pilot deployed the flaps and attempted to lift off. However, the aircraft failed to become airborne despite these efforts.

Recognizing that the aircraft would not fly, the pilot decided to abort the takeoff. This decision was made too late in the sequence to allow the aircraft to stop safely within the remaining runway length. Consequently, the aircraft departed the end of the paved surface and impacted the terrain beyond the runway threshold.

The investigation

The physical evidence indicated that the aircraft was unable to generate sufficient lift to become airborne given the weight and environmental conditions at the time of the event. The failure to achieve flight at the expected rotation speed suggests a performance deficit relative to the takeoff requirements.

Probable cause

The pilot's decision to initiate takeoff with the aircraft loaded near maximum gross weight under hot day conditions with unfavorable winds, which resulted in insufficient performance to become airborne and a subsequent runway overrun.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X17994. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.