Aircraft overrun during aborted takeoff at grass airstrip

No fatalities • Treinta y Tres, Uruguay • Takeoff (climb)

An aircraft overran a grass runway and struck an earth mound after the pilot attempted to abort the takeoff roll.

What happened

While performing a takeoff roll on a grassy runway, the captain initiated an aborted takeoff once the aircraft reached a speed of 90 knots. The aircraft was unable to decelerate sufficiently within the available runway length, resulting in it overrunning the end of the strip. The aircraft eventually came to a stop after traveling 270 metres past the runway boundary, where it collided with an earth mound.

The runway involved in the incident measured 1,008 metres in total length. Notably, the final 300 metres of this surface were noted to be waterlogged at the time of the event. Although the impact caused the aircraft to be damaged beyond repair, all six occupants managed to exit the wreckage with only minor injuries.

Findings

  • The terminal portion of the runway was saturated with water, which likely impacted braking performance.
  • The decision to abort at 90 knots left insufficient distance to stop before the end of the paved or prepared surface.

Probable cause

The aircraft failed to stop within the remaining runway length due to an aborted takeoff on a waterlogged section of the grass strip.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1998-03-20 Piper PA-42 Cheyenne accident near Treinta y Tres, Uruguay?

An aircraft overran a grass runway and struck an earth mound after the pilot attempted to abort the takeoff roll.

Were there any fatalities in the 1998-03-20 Piper PA-42 Cheyenne accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1998-03-20 involved a Piper PA-42 Cheyenne, registration CX-ROU, operated by Banco Republica de Uruguay, at Treinta y Tres, Uruguay.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The aircraft failed to stop within the remaining runway length due to an aborted takeoff on a waterlogged section of the grass strip.

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