1993-07-22: Piper PA-46 — Sutton Holdings, Inc. — Vero Beach, FL

Casualties unknown • Vero Beach, FL, US

Probable cause

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT, AND HIS DELAY IN ABORTING THE TAKEOFF. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE TAILWIND, WET RUNWAY, AND SOFT TERRAIN BEYOND THE END OF THE RUNWAY.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE WAS HOLDING TO TAKEOFF ON RUNWAY 22 WHILE WAITING FOR WEATHER TO CLEAR WEST OF THE AIRPORT. HE NOTICED THERE WAS GOOD WEATHER TO THE EAST AND ELECTED TO TAKEOFF WITH A TAILWIND ON RUNWAY 11, THE SHORTEST RUNWAY. DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, HE NOTICED THE AIRSPEED WAS NOT BUILDING FAST ENOUGH, SO HE ELECTED TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF. HE WAS UNABLE TO STOP ON THE REMAINING RUNWAY, WHICH WAS WET. THE AIRPLANE SKIDDED INTO WET SAND OFF THE END OF THE RUNWAY, AND THE LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED. NO PRE-ACCIDENT MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF THE AIRCRAFT OR ENGINE WAS EVIDENT.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1993-07-22 Piper PA-46 accident near Vero Beach, FL?

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE WAS HOLDING TO TAKEOFF ON RUNWAY 22 WHILE WAITING FOR WEATHER TO CLEAR WEST OF THE AIRPORT. HE NOTICED THERE WAS GOOD WEATHER TO THE EAST AND ELECTED TO TAKEOFF WITH A TAILWIND ON RUNWAY 11, THE SHORTEST RUNWAY. DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, HE NOTICED THE AIRSPEED WAS NOT BUILDING FAST ENOUGH,…

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1993-07-22 involved a Piper PA-46, registration N888CD, operated by Sutton Holdings, Inc., at Vero Beach, FL.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT, AND HIS DELAY IN ABORTING THE TAKEOFF. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE TAILWIND, WET RUNWAY, AND SOFT TERRAIN BEYOND 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/20001211X12988. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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