On August 31, 1993, a Beech 19 (registration N24685) was involved in an aviation accident near Wolfboro, NH. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during takeoff, resulting in a stall and runway overrun. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot attempted a takeoff on Runway 03, rotating at 45 mph. The aircraft lifted off but settled back onto the runway, eventually overrunning the end and colliding with a dirt bank.
What happened
The pilot was conducting a takeoff roll on Runway 03. During the acceleration phase, the pilot rotated the airplane at an indicated airspeed of 45 mph. The aircraft briefly lifted off the ground but subsequently settled back onto the runway surface. Unable to regain sufficient lift, the airplane continued its forward momentum and overran the end of the paved surface, ultimately colliding with a dirt bank.
During post-accident questioning, the pilot acknowledged that his nose-high attitude during rotation was higher than usual for this type of operation. Following the incident, Federal Aviation Administration personnel started and ran the aircraft engine to check for mechanical issues; no malfunctions were observed during this ground test. The pilot reported having logged 1.5 hours of flight time in the preceding 90 days.
The investigation
Examination of the aircraft revealed that the engine operated without malfunction when started by FAA personnel after the accident. No other mechanical failures were identified that would have prevented normal operation.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during takeoff, resulting in a stall and runway overrun.