On December 29, 2005, a Beech C23 (registration N2251L) was involved in an aviation accident near Eureka Springs, AR. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing and his delay in aborting the landing. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A private pilot aborted a landing after the airplane swerved, then overran the grass runway during takeoff roll, ending down an embankment.
Accident Sequence
The accident involved a single-engine, tricycle-gear airplane during a landing attempt on Runway 34. The pilot, who held a private certificate and had 304 total flight hours, reported that the airplane began to swerve back and forth during the landing roll. In response, the pilot elected to abort the landing and initiated a takeoff roll. However, during the takeoff roll, the pilot realized that the airplane had not achieved sufficient airspeed for lift-off. The airplane subsequently overran the departure end of the 1,900-foot long by 65-foot wide grass runway and continued down an embankment.
Pilot Experience
The pilot reported having accumulated a total of 46 hours in the same make and model of airplane. He stated that the accident could have been prevented by more training in short field landings in this specific make and model.
Additional Information
Winds at the time of the accident were reported as light and variable. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane.