29 Jun 2015: CESSNA 337 B — William E. Miller

29 Jun 2015: CESSNA 337 B — William E. Miller

No fatalities • Blanding, UT, United States

Probable cause

The pilot's selection of a departure runway of inadequate length for the density altitude, resulting in the airplane not gaining sufficient lift, departing the runway, and impacting terrain.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

The pilot of the twin-engine airplane reported that prior to takeoff, he "didn't lean out the motors". He reported that during the takeoff roll, "there wasn't enough lift and probably the density altitude was involved." The airplane ran off the departure end of the runway into a field, impacted terrain, and sustained substantial damage to the empennage. The pilot reported that the accident was because of "pilot error."

The pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engines that would have precluded normal operation.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The computed density altitude for the departure airport was 8,570 feet at the time of the accident.

The Federal Aviation Administration aviation safety inspector reported that the pilot was not rated for multi-engine airplanes and that the airplane was not airworthy prior to the accident.

Contributing factors

  • cause Pilot
  • cause Attain/maintain not possible
  • cause Contributed to outcome

Conditions

Weather
VMC, wind 230/05kt, vis 10sm

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