Accident Overview
On August 5, 2008, at 1000 eastern daylight time, a Beech B35, registration N5208C, was substantially damaged while attempting to depart from North Buffalo Suburban Airport (0G0) in Lockport, New York. The certificated private pilot was not injured, and the passenger sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the flight destined for Birchfield Ranch Airport (XA44), Lometa, Texas. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.
Pilot Account
During a telephone interview, the pilot stated that all fuel tanks were filled before departure. During the engine run-up and magneto check, no abnormalities were noted. About midway down the 2,830-foot runway during takeoff, the pilot reported that "something didn't feel right" and the engine did not seem to be "making full power." He lifted off at 65 knots indicated airspeed, and the airplane initially seemed to climb, then settled back down. On a second lift-off, he retracted the landing gear. Shortly thereafter, the engine began losing power, with the tachometer decreasing from 2,600 to 2,400 rpm. The power loss was gradual, and the engine never "coughed." The airplane was heading toward trees at the end of the runway, so the pilot veered left toward a road. The airplane settled onto the ground, and the pilot reduced the throttle to idle. It struck a road sign and fire hydrant, causing substantial damage to the fuselage before coming to rest.
Examination Findings
An FAA inspector examined the wreckage. The airplane came to rest about 200 feet south of runway 28 centerline and about 150 feet beyond the departure end. The right wing was deformed about 5 feet inboard of the wingtip fuel tank, and a strong fuel odor was present. The landing gear appeared partially retracted. Engine examination confirmed compression on all cylinders and valve train continuity. Rotating both magneto input shafts produced spark at each spark plug; spark plugs showed normal wear. Fuel was found in the line between the fuel pump outlet and the fuel servo.
The inspector removed baggage and a cooler full of ice and beverages from the aft passenger seats, totaling 185 pounds.
Weight and Balance Information
Review of the airplane's weight and balance report indicated an empty weight of 1,966 pounds. The airplane was equipped with wingtip fuel tanks, increasing maximum allowable takeoff gross weight from 2,650 pounds to 2,750 pounds. No supplement for takeoff performance at the higher weight was found; the original chart only included data up to 2,650 pounds. The pilot and passenger's combined weight was estimated at 400 pounds, and the calculated takeoff gross weight was 3,091 pounds—exceeding the maximum. The center of gravity was computed to be 1/2 inch aft of the published limit.
The pilot stated during an FAA interview that the airplane was fully loaded with about 90 gallons of fuel. He had not calculated the gross weight for the flight because he had flown with that weight before, and he had not calculated the required takeoff distance, noting that the temperature was "cool."
Weather and Airport Information
Weather reported at Niagara Falls International Airport (IAG), about 10 nautical miles northwest, at 0953 included winds from 110 degrees at 5 knots, 7 statute miles visibility, few clouds at 10,000 feet, scattered clouds at 16,000 feet, temperature 26°C, dewpoint 19°C, and altimeter 29.91 inHg.
North Buffalo Suburban Airport has a single 2,830-foot by 50-foot asphalt runway with 50- to 65-foot-tall trees located 85 to 105 feet from the departure end of runway 28.
The pilot held a private pilot certificate with single-engine land rating and reported 347 total flight hours on his most recent FAA third-class medical application in April 2008.