No fatalities

Airplane Overruns Turf Runway During Takeoff Attempt

Martinsville, IN, United States

On March 6, 2010, a PIPER PA-28-140 operated by Pilot was involved in an aviation accident near Martinsville, IN. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's inadequate preflight planning and his exceedance of the airplane's takeoff capability. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 17 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-08-03Data APIEditorial standards

During a takeoff attempt on a 2,000-foot turf runway, the airplane overran and impacted terrain, resulting in substantial damage. The aircraft was 131 pounds over gross weight and had an expired annual inspection.

Accident Overview

The pilot was attempting a takeoff on runway 27, a turf runway measuring 2,000 feet in length and 90 feet in width. During the takeoff roll, the airplane overran the runway and subsequently impacted terrain. The impact caused substantial damage to the airplane, including a damaged firewall and right wing.

Weather Conditions

The nearest weather reporting station recorded variable winds at 3 knots approximately 30 minutes after the accident occurred.

Aircraft Information

Examination of the airplane revealed that it was approximately 131 pounds over its gross takeoff weight at the time of the accident. No mechanical anomalies were noted that would have precluded normal operation. Additionally, the airplane was overdue for its annual inspection, as it had last been inspected in January 2009.

Pilot Information

The pilot's airman medical certificate was expired. His application for a third-class medical certificate had been denied on August 13, 2007.

Contributing factors

Causes

PilotCapability exceeded

Other contributing factors

Not serviced/maintained

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 6 Mar 2010 PIPER PA-28-140 accident near Martinsville, IN?

During a takeoff attempt on a 2,000-foot turf runway, the airplane overran and impacted terrain, resulting in substantial damage. The aircraft was 131 pounds over gross weight and had an expired annual inspection.

Were there any fatalities in the 6 Mar 2010 PIPER PA-28-140 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 6 Mar 2010 involved a PIPER PA-28-140, operated by Pilot, at Martinsville, IN.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's inadequate preflight planning and his exceedance of the airplane's takeoff capability.