On 8 Jun 2017, a PIPER PA 28 140 was involved in an aviation accident near Auburn, IN. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot’s decision to continue to attempt to take off despite the airplane’s inability to attain a positive climb rate, which resulted in little runway remaining, and his subsequent decision to turn off the runway, which resulted in a collision with a barn. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A pilot reported multiple attempts to force the airplane into the air, resulting in hard touchdowns, before turning and colliding with a barn after traveling through fields and a ditch.
Accident Summary
A pilot reported that during a takeoff attempt from his turf airstrip, he forced the airplane into the air. After a brief ascent, the airplane descended and touched down hard. The pilot continued this sequence—forcing the airplane into the air followed by a hard landing—until he determined he could not clear trees at the runway's end. He then made a left turn, and the airplane traveled through a bean field, a hay field, hit a ditch, and collided with a barn.
Pilot Report
According to the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot Aircraft Accident Report, the pilot stated that the accident could have been prevented if he had aborted the takeoff after the first bounce. He also reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
Damage
The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings.
Contributing factors
PilotClimb rate — Not attained/maintainedEffect on operation