Incident Summary
On September 7, 2018, at approximately 13:45 local time, a Cessna 172N operated by an unspecified owner was departing from runway 09 at Aleksandrowice Airport (EPBA) near Bielsko-Biała, Poland. The aircraft overran the runway, collided with the airport perimeter fence, and came to rest on uneven grass adjacent to the perimeter road. The pilot and three occupants evacuated the aircraft without injury.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The pilot, a 35-year-old male, held a valid PPL(A) license with SEP(L) rating and a valid medical certificate. His total flight time was 95 hours 30 minutes across 343 flights, including 33 hours of solo flight. In the preceding 12 months, he had logged 18 hours 31 minutes. The aircraft, a Cessna 172N, had mandatory liability insurance and was airworthy. The investigation found no technical issues contributing to the event.
Sequence of Events
The pilot arrived at the airport to conduct a flight in the Cessna 172N. He prepared the aircraft with another pilot who had just landed. He checked and topped the engine oil to required levels and filled fuel to 93 liters. After a preflight inspection and weight calculations for crew, passengers, and baggage—which the pilot considered compliant with the aircraft flight manual—the occupants boarded. Following a safety briefing, the pilot started the engine, taxied to the holding point, and performed an engine run-up, all indicating the aircraft was fit for flight.
Taking runway 09, the pilot set flaps to 10°, advanced the throttle to full power, released the brakes, and began the takeoff roll. He noted that acceleration was slower than expected but continued. Between half and three-quarters of the runway length, the aircraft had not reached rotation speed. The pilot then decided to abort the takeoff, reduced throttle to idle, and applied brakes. The aircraft decelerated but began to skid on locked wheels toward the runway end. Due to significant remaining speed and short distance, the pilot could not stop the aircraft before it rolled off the runway surface, struck the airfield fence, and came to a halt.
Damage
The impact with the fence caused damage to the spinner and both propeller blades, the nose gear leg, the left aileron, and the engine cowling.
Probable Cause
The probable cause was pilot error involving a delayed decision to abort the takeoff.