What happened
During a takeoff attempt, a Piper Cherokee Six overran the end of the runway. A witness observed the aircraft airborne, initially appearing to be on a landing approach, before it touched back down on the runway. The engine was reportedly producing high power when the tires began to skid. The aircraft swerved toward the right side of the runway, causing the tires to skid and smoke to emerge. Witnesses reported a screeching sound similar to locked brakes, followed by the sound of metal scraping against the pavement. The aircraft departed the right end of the runway, traveling through a grass area and into a ditch near highway 65. The aircraft came to rest in a ravine approximately 215 feet from the end of the runway, at an elevation roughly 47 feet below the runway level. The aircraft was destroyed by a post-impact fire.
The investigation
Investigators identified tire skid marks beginning 929 feet from the end of the runway near the centerline. These marks proceeded toward the right side of the runway and departed the pavement approximately 300 feet from the embankment. Ruts were observed in the grass and gravel area leading toward the trees. A post-accident examination of the engine and airframe revealed no anomalies associated with a pre-impact failure.