Casualties unknown

2000-07-09: Cessna 140 (N3583V) — Alliance, OH

Alliance, OH, US

On July 9, 2000, a Cessna 140 (registration N3583V) was involved in an aviation accident near Alliance, OH. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's improper decision to abort the takeoff. A factor in this accident was the dark night conditions. 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 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot aborted a takeoff on a 2,088-foot turf runway at night due to poor visibility, applied heavy braking, and the airplane entered mud and nosed over. The pilot had 315 hours total flight experience.

Accident Overview

A pilot was departing from a 2,088-foot-long turf runway in night visual meteorological conditions. During the takeoff roll, the pilot reported that the airplane accelerated normally. However, he felt uncomfortable because he could not see the tree line at the end of the runway, describing his view as "looking into a black hole." When the airplane was approximately three-quarters of the way down the runway, the pilot elected to abort the takeoff.

Accident Sequence

During the aborted takeoff, the pilot applied heavy braking. Despite this, the airplane continued beyond the runway and entered an area of mud located at the end of the strip. The airplane subsequently nosed over in the mud.

Pilot Information

The pilot reported 315 hours of total flight experience, of which about 70 hours were in the same make and model of airplane. Additionally, the pilot had accumulated 15.3 hours of night flight experience. In the 20 days prior to the accident, the pilot had logged approximately 1 hour of night flight time and performed five night takeoffs and landings.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X21580. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.