On October 20, 1994, a Gulfstream American AA-5A (registration N26966) was involved in an aviation accident near Lexington, NC. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT'S OPERATION OF THE AIRCRAFT WITH A KNOWN DEFICIENCY (FOREIGN MATERIAL OR PARTICLE IN THE PITOT TUBE), WHICH LED TO A FALSE AIRSPEED INDICATION AND PREMATURE LIFT-OFF OF THE AIRCRAFT DURING TAKEOFF, AND THE PILOT'S IMPROPER REMEDIAL ACTION THAT… This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
After liftoff, the aircraft slammed back onto the runway. The pilot aborted but had insufficient runway, then applied full power and struck trees. Witnesses reported earlier airspeed indicator issues; a technician found debris in the pitot tube.
Incident Details
The pilot reported that after liftoff, the aircraft immediately slammed back onto the runway. He attempted to abort the takeoff but realized there was insufficient runway remaining. He then applied full power, but the aircraft struck trees off the departure end and crashed.
Witness Accounts
Witnesses stated that the pilot reported his airspeed indicator was not working properly when he flew into the airport earlier in the day. A technician, who examined the pitot tube, advised the pilot to have it repaired before flight because there was something that appeared to be logged inside the tube.
Pilot's Decision
The pilot believed that since he had flown the aircraft to the airport with the problem, he would be able to fly out without having it repaired.
