What happened
On October 8, 2017, a privately owned Beechcraft E33, registration JA3447, was participating in a familiarization flight at Semine Temporary Airfield in Kurihata City, Miyagi Prefecture. The aircraft was carrying the pilot and three passengers.
During the takeoff roll on Runway 33, the pilot noted that acceleration was decreasing as the aircraft reached approximately 50 knots near the runway centerline. Suspecting a possible tailwind, the pilot continued the roll. However, as the end of the runway approached, the pilot realized the aircraft would not reach rotation speed in time and decided to reject the takeoff near the intended touchdown point. Despite applying brakes and reducing the throttle to idle, the aircraft could not stop within the remaining 480-meter runway. The aircraft overran the pavement, veered into a grass area, and struck the edge of a nearby reservoir. The momentum caused the aircraft to roll over into a paddy field, leaving the aircraft upside down with significant structural damage. One passenger sustained serious injuries during the incident.
The investigation
The Japan Transport Safety Board (JTSB) examined the aircraft's performance capabilities, the meteorological conditions, and the pilot's pre-flight preparations. Investigators reviewed the flight manual's performance charts and compared them against the actual weight and environmental conditions at the time of the accident. The investigation also looked into the pilot's previous experience with similar runway lengths and the aircraft's mechanical state.
Findings
- The aircraft's weight at the time of the accident was approximately 2,996 lb, which was within the maximum allowable limit but exceeded the weight required to safely clear the 480-meter runway given the ambient temperature and lack of wind.
- The pilot did not perform the required takeoff distance calculations using the flight manual's performance charts prior to departure, instead relying on personal experience from longer runways.
- The pilot mistakenly attributed the poor acceleration to a potential tailwind rather than recognizing the impact of the aircraft's weight on takeoff performance.
- The aircraft's weight exceeded the threshold for a safe takeoff within the available runway length, which, combined with a delayed decision to reject the takeoff, led to the overrun.
- There were no mechanical failures or engine abnormalities detected; the engine and airframe were in good condition prior to the impact.