Accident Details
On July 24, 2022, about 1450 eastern daylight time, a Beech A36 airplane was substantially damaged when it collided with trees and terrain near Ray, Michigan. The pilot and two passengers were seriously injured. The flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.
The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll, when the airplane reached 70 knots indicated airspeed (KIAS), he rotated for takeoff. He pitched the nose for climb and retracted the landing gear upon reaching 77 KIAS. The airplane then began drifting right, the right wing dipped, and the nose pitched down slightly. Airspeed decreased to 64 KIAS, and the airplane felt “sloshy.” The stall warning horn sounded as the airplane descended toward trees at the end of the runway. The airplane struck trees and impacted terrain before a fire erupted. The pilot and passengers exited before the airplane was engulfed in flames. The pilot noted that engine rpm never diminished and there were no abrupt power changes during the takeoff.
Witness Account
A witness observed the airplane departing runway 28 (2,495 ft long). According to the witness, the airplane rotated about three-quarters of the way down the runway. The landing gear retracted, and the airplane appeared to struggle to climb. The wings wobbled and the airplane yawed right. It failed to climb and collided with trees. All three occupants were hospitalized.
Aircraft Information
Federal Aviation Administration records showed the airplane was modified via supplemental type certificate for turbo normalization. Examination of the engine and turbocharger revealed no preimpact anomalies that would have prevented normal operation.
The pilot reported fueling the airplane before the flight. He estimated weight and balance at 3,829 lbs and 83.84 inches. The estimated takeoff distance to clear a 50-ft obstacle was about 2,200 ft.
Performance charts from Textron Aviation indicated that at a takeoff weight of 3,650 lbs, rotation speed is 73 knots for no obstacle and 84 knots for a 50-ft obstacle, with a takeoff distance of 2,200 ft for a 50-ft obstacle. However, the Tornado Alley Airplane Flight Manual Supplement approved the modified airplane to operate at a maximum gross weight of 4,000 lbs. At increased weights, pilots should expect up to 30% longer takeoff distance, 13% lower rate of climb, 7% higher stall speed, and 2-knot higher takeoff speeds. For the accident flight, the takeoff distance was calculated as 2,860 ft, with rotation speeds of 75 knots (no obstacle) or 86 knots (50-ft obstacle).
Performance Considerations
In the FAA publication *The Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge* (FAA-H-8083-25B, 2016), Chapter 11 states that if a pilot attempts to climb out of ground effect without first attaining normal climb pitch attitude and airspeed, the airplane may inadvertently enter the region of reversed command at a dangerously low altitude. Even with full power, the airplane may be incapable of climbing or maintaining altitude. The pilot’s only recourse is to lower the pitch attitude to increase airspeed, which inevitably results in a loss of altitude.