Accident Overview
On July 19, 2015, at approximately 1909 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172S, registered as N962SP, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain after a rejected takeoff from Linden Airport (LDJ) in Linden, New Jersey. The private pilot and three passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the planned personal flight to Montauk Airport (MTP), Montauk, New York. The flight was conducted under Part 91 of the Federal Aviation Regulations.
Pilot Information
The pilot held a private pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single-engine land. He reported 108 hours of total flight experience, all of which were in the accident airplane make and model. During the 30-day period preceding the accident, he had flown 11 hours.
Aircraft and Damage
The Cessna 172S, owned by Richmond Pilots Corp, was substantially damaged. Examination by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the airplane impacted a fence approximately 600 feet beyond the departure end of runway 27, a 4,140-foot-long asphalt runway. Both wings and the fuselage sustained substantial damage. The airplane was nearly full with fuel, and the wing flaps were in the retracted position, which the pilot confirmed as the takeoff setting during a telephone interview. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions and stated that he had calculated the weight to be about 30 pounds below the maximum gross weight of 2,550 pounds.
Accident Sequence
According to the pilot, during takeoff on runway 27, the airplane "felt heavy," prompting him to reject the takeoff and attempt to land on the remaining portion of the runway. The airplane then bounced two or three times before touching down near the departure end of the runway. It continued beyond the runway end and struck a fence before coming to rest upright.
Weather Conditions
The recorded weather observation at Linden Airport at 1915 included wind from 290 degrees at 8 knots, visibility 10 miles, clear skies, temperature 36°C, dew point 22°C, and a barometric altimeter setting of 29.76 inches of mercury.
Performance Data
Review of a takeoff distance chart for the accident airplane make and model indicated that at maximum gross weight of 2,550 pounds, sea level, and 40°C, the airplane required a ground roll of 1,150 feet, or 1,945 feet to clear a 50-foot obstacle. The data assumed calm wind and a flap setting of 10 degrees extension.