1993-08-22: Piper PA-24 — Ilwaco, WA

Casualties unknown • Ilwaco, WA, US

Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PRE-FLIGHT PLANNING, AND HIS ATTEMPT TO TAKE OFF WITH THE AIRCRAFT OVER GROSS WEIGHT.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

THE PILOT, WHO DID NOT PERFORM WEIGHT AND BALANCE CALCULATIONS PRIOR TO TAKEOFF, ATTEMPTED A TAKEOFF IN AN AIRCRAFT THAT WAS OVER THE ALLOWABLE MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT. THE AIRCRAFT LIFTED OFF TWICE, BUT WOULD NOT CLIMB, AND THE PILOT ELECTED TO ABORT. HIS STOPPING DISTANCE WAS EXTENDED BECAUSE HE HAD TROUBLE BRINGING THE VERNIER TYPE THROTTLE TO THE IDLE POSITION. WHEN THE AIRCRAFT RAN OFF THE END OF THE RUNWAY, THE PILOT STEERED IT ONTO A NEARBY ROAD, BUT HE IMPACTED A TREE WHILE AVOIDING AN ONCOMING AUTO.

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Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1993-08-22 Piper PA-24 accident near Ilwaco, WA?

THE PILOT, WHO DID NOT PERFORM WEIGHT AND BALANCE CALCULATIONS PRIOR TO TAKEOFF, ATTEMPTED A TAKEOFF IN AN AIRCRAFT THAT WAS OVER THE ALLOWABLE MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT. THE AIRCRAFT LIFTED OFF TWICE, BUT WOULD NOT CLIMB, AND THE PILOT ELECTED TO ABORT. HIS STOPPING DISTANCE WAS EXTENDED BECAUSE HE HAD TROUBLE BRINGING…

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1993-08-22 involved a Piper PA-24, registration N8267P, at Ilwaco, WA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PRE-FLIGHT PLANNING, AND HIS ATTEMPT TO TAKE OFF WITH THE AIRCRAFT OVER GROSS WEIGHT.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X13272. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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