Accident Details
A charter flight carrying a pilot and six passengers was departing a private airstrip under a special VFR clearance. The airstrip consisted of gravel, measured 2,400 feet in length, and was situated at an elevation of 80 feet above mean sea level. The runway orientation was 110/290 degrees magnetic. At the time of the attempted departure, the runway was covered with slushy snow approximately 1.5 inches deep.
Sequence of Events
The pilot first attempted to take off on runway 11 but aborted the procedure. Subsequently, he attempted a departure on runway 29. The pilot reported that about halfway down the runway, the airspeed was approximately 5 knots below the required takeoff speed. Despite this, he elected to continue the takeoff. Shortly after, the airspeed dropped further, and the aircraft continued past the end of the runway without ever lifting off.
Damage and Conditions
The airplane sustained damage to the engine, nose gear, and firewall as a result of overrunning the runway. The pilot reported the wind at the site was from the southwest at 15 knots. An official weather reporting station located three miles from the accident site recorded the wind as originating from 160 degrees true at 11 knots.