What happened
The pilot initiated a takeoff attempt during the early morning hours under conditions where dense fog had accumulated on the airfield. The departure was planned from Runway 26, but visibility was significantly reduced due to the weather. After utilizing approximately 2700 feet of the available runway for the initial phase of the takeoff roll, the pilot encountered even denser fog, which further compromised situational awareness and safety.
Recognizing the critical lack of remaining runway distance to achieve a safe stopping point, the pilot made the decision to abort the takeoff procedure. However, due to the speed already attained and the limited space remaining, it was impossible to bring the airplane to a halt on the paved surface. The aircraft continued past the departure end of Runway 26, skidded off the edge of the runway, and sank into the river located adjacent to the airfield.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the sequence of events leading to the loss of the aircraft during the aborted takeoff. Key factors examined included the weather conditions at the time of departure, specifically the formation and density of fog on the runway surface. The analysis also considered the pilot's decision-making process regarding the mid-field departure and the subsequent abort maneuver.
Findings
The primary contributing factor to this accident was the pilot's decision to attempt a takeoff in weather conditions that were below safe operating limits for the available runway length. The presence of fog significantly reduced visibility, making it difficult to judge position relative to the end of the runway. The insufficient runway remaining after the abort decision led directly to the overrunning of the paved surface and the subsequent loss of the aircraft into the water.
Safety message
Pilots must carefully evaluate weather conditions, particularly visibility and fog density, before attempting takeoffs. Aborting a takeoff at high speeds with insufficient runway remaining is extremely dangerous; therefore, strict adherence to minimum weather requirements and accurate calculation of available runway distance are essential for safe operations.