Accident Details
On September 1, 2018, about 1400 Eastern Daylight Time, a Beech K35 airplane, registration N5321E, overran the runway during an aborted takeoff at Harrisville Airport (5Y0) in Harrisville, Michigan. The private-rated pilot sustained minor injuries, and the three passengers were not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed.
A 32-second video of the takeoff attempt was reviewed. The video showed the airplane already in the takeoff roll on the grass runway, which was defined by large yellow cones. At 14 seconds, the airplane veered toward the left side of the runway. At 22 seconds, a loud noise was heard from the end of the runway, and the airplane made a sharp right turn, then slid on the runway toward the trees, where it came to rest.
Pilot Statements and Observations
The sheriff's deputy who responded reported that the pilot stated he could not get the airplane up to speed because of the tall grass on the runway. The pilot added that the data he had for the airport showed an additional 600 ft of available runway. He also stated that he knew he did not have the speed or altitude to clear the trees at the end of the runway, so he put the airplane back on the ground before entering the woods. Deputy photos revealed several lopped tree limbs and tire marks in the grass beyond the left side of the runway.
In a postaccident statement, the pilot reported that earlier that morning, he had flown the same three passengers to an airport where he filled the left fuel tank with 25 gallons of fuel; the right fuel tank contained 2 to 3 gallons, and the auxiliary fuel tank was empty. After fueling, he took off from a 2,952-ft-long asphalt runway and climbed to 50 ft above ground level before reaching 1,500 ft of runway distance. He landed at 5Y0, a 2,140 ft by 60 ft grass runway, without incident, consuming about 5 gallons of fuel during the flight.
About 1400, they returned to the airplane, and the pilot completed a preflight inspection and an engine run-up with no anomalies noted. He taxied to runway 21 and extended 10° of flaps. He started the takeoff roll and noted that the first 200 ft of the runway was soft and consisted of long grass, while the rest of the runway consisted of sand and patches of weeds. The pilot stated that during the takeoff roll, he was able to lift the nose wheel off the runway around 300 ft, and the main landing gear lifted off near midfield, where he kept the airplane in ground effect. About three-fourths of the way down the runway, while still in ground effect, the airplane would not gain altitude, and the left wing contacted the trees on the left side. The pilot stated that it felt like the airplane was being pulled into the trees. He aborted the takeoff, attempted to stop the airplane in the grass, but collided with trees at the end of the runway. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the engine or airframe that would have precluded normal operation.
Weight and Balance Information
The airplane's pilot operating handbook (POH) specifies a maximum ramp weight of 2,960 lbs and a maximum takeoff weight of 2,950 lbs. The aft center of gravity (CG) limit at 2,950 lbs is 84.7 inches aft of datum. The pilot provided a completed weight and balance loading form for the accident flight, which noted a ramp weight of 2,948 lbs (12 lbs under the limitation) and a takeoff weight of 2,938 lbs (12 lbs under the limitation). The calculated CG was 84.77 inches aft of datum (0.07 inches over the limitation).
Using the same weight and balance information for the previous flight, except with 25 gallons of fuel, the ramp weight would have been 2,978 lbs and the takeoff weight 2,968 lbs; both exceeded the maximum ramp and takeoff weights by 18 lbs. The calculated CG was 84.7 inches aft of datum.
Toxicology
At the request of the deputy, the pilot submitted a blood sample while on scene. Forensic analysis of the sample was negative for alcohol.