Accident Overview
At about 1700 central standard time on November 20, 2012, a Boeing A75L3, registration N56226, was damaged when it overran the end of runway 35 and struck trees after an aborted takeoff at Horizon Airport (74R) in San Antonio, Texas. The aircraft was registered to an individual and operated by a commercial pilot under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was not operated on a flight plan. The flight had originated from Stinson Municipal Airport (SSF) about 1650. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the upper left wing spars.
Pilot Report
The pilot stated that the flight began at SSF and an uneventful landing was performed on runway 16 at 74R. The airplane was turned around at the end of the runway for a takeoff from runway 34. The pilot reported that the winds were calm at this time. After liftoff, at about 15 feet above the ground, the pilot recognized that the airplane was not producing adequate power and was not accelerating, prompting him to land the airplane. The airplane touched down near the departure end of the runway, went off the end, and struck trees. The pilot reported a loss of engine power which precipitated the aborted takeoff.
Witness Account
A witness stated that the airplane landed on runway 16, made a 180-degree turn at the end of the runway, and departed from runway 34. The witness observed the airplane become airborne and, when it was about 20 to 30 feet above the ground, it leveled off and appeared to lose power.
Post-Accident Examination
An on-scene examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration Airworthiness Inspector did not reveal any anomalies that would account for the loss of engine power. The engine could be rotated by hand, and the intake and exhaust valves functioned normally. The engine oil level was normal, and no oil was found in the engine's exhaust. Fuel was present in the fuel tank. The fuel shutoff valve was found in a partially closed position, but fuel flowed freely through the fuel strainer and the flow did not decrease until the valve was turned much closer to the off position. The throttle control was at idle, the mixture control in the full rich position, and the carburetor heat control in the off position.
Meteorological Conditions
The temperature and dew point recorded at a station about 3 miles from the accident site were 24 degrees Celsius and 14 degrees Celsius, respectively. According to a carburetor icing probability chart, the recorded temperature and dew point were in the range of susceptibility for moderate carburetor icing at cruise power setting and serious icing at descent power setting. The pilot's statement did not mention if carburetor heat was used during the previous landing or during the accident takeoff.