What happened
On the morning of the accident, an aircraft began its takeoff roll at an airport with a runway length of 5,13 and 2 feet. Witnesses observing the event noted that while the engine sounds initially seemed normal, the aircraft's acceleration appeared sluggish during the roll. The pilot maintained directional control, but the aircraft failed to rotate by the midpoint of the runway. As the plane continued down the runway, it showed no signs of increasing speed. Approximately 100 yards from the runway terminus, the aircraft appeared unable to stop. The plane drifted slightly to the right before exiting the runway and traveling into a deep gully. The impact and subsequent fire resulted in the total destruction of the aircraft.
Findings
Investigations into the wreckage and performance data provided several key details regarding the accident:
- The aircraft's weight and balance were within the permitted limits for maximum gross takeoff weight and center of gravity.
- The density altitude at the time of the event was 7,100 feet, significantly higher than the airport elevation of 4,830 feet.
- Based on the aircraft's weight and the high density altitude, the required takeoff distance was 2,805 feet, while the distance needed to accelerate and then safely abort the takeoff was 4,900 feet.
- While some witnesses reported unusual engine sounds, a mechanical inspection of the engine and airframe showed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have prevented normal operation.
- All flight control components remained intact at the crash site, and propeller signatures indicated the engines were producing rotational force at the moment of impact.
- There was no definitive evidence to determine why the aircraft failed to rotate or why the takeoff was not aborted before the end of the runway was reached.