On June 16, 1973, a Beechcraft D18 (registration N26Q) operated by Northern Air Service - USA was involved in an aviation accident near Timberon, United States of America during takeoff. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The accident was caused by the pilot's failure to abort the takeoff promptly and the selection of an incorrect runway relative to the wind conditions. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 2 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A twin-engine airplane failed to depart, resulting in a collision with trees and an aircraft fire.
What happened
During a takeoff attempt, a twin engine airplane failed to achieve sufficient lift to leave the ground. As the aircraft continued along the runway, it struck a line of trees located at the edge of the airfield. The impact triggered a post-crash fire that resulted in the total destruction of the airframe.
There was one person on board during the incident. The pilot sustained slight injuries in the accident, while no other fatalities were reported.
Findings
Investigations into the accident identified several critical factors that led to the collision. The aircraft was operating in a downwind condition, which affected its performance during the takeoff roll. Additionally, the presence of high obstructions near the runway end contributed to the severity of the impact. It was determined that the pilot failed to initiate an appropriate abort sequence in a timely manner and had chosen a runway that was not suitable given the prevailing wind direction.
Probable cause
The accident was caused by the pilot's failure to abort the takeoff promptly and the selection of an incorrect runway relative to the wind conditions.