No fatalities

6 Oct 2013: BEECH A36 — J & J AIRCRAFT LLC — Tilden, TX

Tilden, TX, United States

On 6 Oct 2013, a BEECH A36 UNDESIGNAT operated by J & J AIRCRAFT LLC was involved in an aviation accident near Tilden, TX. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's decision to continue the takeoff from a wet and soft airstrip which resulted in his failure to maintain adequate airspeed and aircraft control during the takeoff initial climb. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

During a short field takeoff from a muddy private airstrip, the airplane drifted left, then stalled after a steep angle of attack, colliding with the ground and cartwheeling. No mechanical malfunctions were reported.

Accident Sequence

According to the pilot, the private airstrip was muddy and soft due to rain showers the night before. During a short field takeoff, the airplane drifted left of the centerline. The left main landing gear encountered mud, which impeded ground speed. The pilot applied right rudder control to re-center the airplane on the airstrip while continuing the takeoff.

After rotation, the pilot kept the airplane in ground effect to build airspeed. However, the aircraft was approaching the end of the airstrip and trees. The pilot then initiated a steep angle of attack, which resulted in the airplane stalling about 60 feet above ground level.

The airplane descended, collided with the ground, and cartwheeled before coming to rest. The wings and fuselage sustained substantial damage.

Additional Information

The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Contributing factors

Causes

PilotAirspeed — Not attained/maintained

Other contributing factors

WetSoft