Casualties unknown

Aborted Takeoff Leads to Hydroplaning and Runway Overrun in Cow Pasture (N200DC)

Cleveland, TN, US

On November 28, 1995, a Cessna 414 (registration N200DC) operated by Mark N. Oelhafen was involved in an aviation accident near Cleveland, TN. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT'S INACCURATE WEIGHT AND BALANCE CALCULATIONS WHICH RESULTED IN AN OVER MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE GROSS WEIGHT TAKEOFF. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE WET, DOWNSLOPING CONDITION OF THE RUNWAY. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

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

A pilot aborted takeoff on a wet runway, the airplane hydroplaned, ran off the runway, and impacted a cow pasture. Postaccident weight calculations showed the airplane was over max gross weight.

Incident Overview

A pilot reported performing an engine run-up of both engines before departure, with no discrepancies noted. The airplane then taxied to the runway. The pilot applied full power to both engines while holding the brakes, then released the brakes to begin the takeoff roll.

Takeoff and Abort

When the airplane was halfway down the 3,300-foot downsloping, wet asphalt runway, the airspeed indicator showed 60 knots. The pilot decided to abort the takeoff. During the abort, the airplane began to hydroplane on the wet surface.

Runway Overrun

The airplane continued off the end of the runway. As it approached a 15-foot drop-off, the pilot applied power to both engines, which responded. The airplane then impacted the ground in a cow pasture and came to rest upright.

Environmental Conditions

At the time of the incident, there was moderate rain.

Weight and Balance Discrepancy

Postaccident weight and balance calculations indicated that the airplane was a minimum of 359 pounds over the maximum gross weight at the time of takeoff. In contrast, calculations provided by the pilot indicated that the airplane was only 3 pounds over gross weight.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001207X04906. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.