FlightFinder
Check my flight
No fatalities

Pilot Reports Aborted Takeoff After Unable to Rotate (N7940Q)

Nappanee, IN, US

On August 10, 2004, a Cessna 310Q (registration N7940Q) was involved in an aviation accident near Nappanee, IN. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The delay in the pilot's performance of an aborted takeoff. A factor was the reported restricted movement of the elevator. Additional factors were the rising easement and roadway the airplane went over before coming to rest in the farmers field. 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 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

During an aborted takeoff, an airplane sustained substantial damage after impact with terrain. The pilot described attempting rotation at 105 and 115 mph without success before closing throttles and braking, then going through a fence and over a road.

Overview

During an aborted takeoff, the airplane sustained substantial damage upon impact with terrain.

Pilot Statement

The pilot reported: "It was a perfect takeoff, until I reached 105 mph. I attempted to rotate the plane, but was unable to even lift the nose wheel off the ground. I tried again at 115 mph, but the plane was still unresponsive. After the 2nd failed rotation attempt, I immediately closed the throttles and applied heavy breaking. ... While I kept the plane straight, we went through a barb-wire fence, up over a road, down an easement and stopped in a farmer's field."

Damage

The airplane sustained substantial damage during the event.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20041109X01794. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.