Casualties unknown

Airplane Strikes Tree After Bounced Takeoff on 2050-Foot Runway (N3863N)

New Manchester, WV, US

On October 4, 1992, a Beech 35 (registration N3863N) operated by Mike Hansen was involved in an aviation accident near New Manchester, WV. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO OBTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED AND ABORT THE TAKEOFF. THE PILOT'S PREMATURE ROTATION, UPSLOPING RUNWAY, AND A TAILWIND ARE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

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

An airplane on takeoff from a 2050-foot runway briefly became airborne, touched down, then lifted off in a nose-high attitude, striking a tree and impacting the ground.

Accident Sequence

An accident occurred involving an airplane during takeoff from a 2050-foot runway. Witnesses reported that the airplane rotated approximately halfway down the runway, became airborne, and climbed to an altitude of about 4 to 6 feet above the ground. It then touched back down on the runway. The airplane continued its takeoff roll for an additional approximate 550 feet before lifting off in a nose-high attitude just as the runway pavement ended. At that point, the landing gear struck a tree at the departure end of the runway. Following the tree strike, the airplane entered a left descending turn and impacted the ground.

No additional information regarding the aircraft type, registration, operator, location, occupants, injuries, or weather conditions is available from the source.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X15924. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.