Casualties unknown

Airplane Strikes Fence and House During Takeoff (N3361C)

Middletown, CA, US

On February 4, 2003, a Beech F35 (registration N3361C) was involved in an aviation accident near Middletown, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to attain an adequate takeoff airspeed and failure to abort the takeoff when the lack of acceleration was apparent. 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

During takeoff on a dirt runway, an airplane's wheel drifted into soft soil, slowing the aircraft. The pilot attempted to avoid a barbed wire fence but the main tires hit the top wire, shortly after which the airplane impacted a house.

Incident Overview

The airplane collided with a fence and a house during takeoff, according to the investigation. The pilot performed a normal run-up prior to departure, then added power for takeoff on the 1,600-foot-long dirt runway.

Takeoff Roll

During the takeoff roll, one of the airplane's wheels drifted into softer dirt on the edge of the runway. As a result, the airplane slowed. The pilot maneuvered the airplane back onto the runway and then realized that the aircraft was close to a barbed wire fence.

Collision Sequence

The pilot pulled back on the yoke in an attempt to clear the fence. However, the main tires struck the top wire of the fence. Shortly thereafter, the airplane impacted a nearby house.

Investigation Findings

The investigation noted the normal run-up, the 1,600-foot-long dirt runway, the wheel drift into softer dirt causing deceleration, the pilot's action of pulling back on the yoke, and the subsequent collisions with the fence and house. No further details were provided in the source.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20030207X00181. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.