Aircraft overrun during aborted takeoff due to pitot tube blockage

No fatalities • White Plains-Westchester County, United States of America • Takeoff (climb)

An aircraft overran its runway and struck a fence during an aborted takeoff attempt after experiencing airspeed indications errors.

What happened

During the takeoff roll, the pilot of the aircraft attempted to abort the takeoff after noticing that the airspeed indicator was malfunctioning. While the indicated airspeed initially rose to approximately 60 knots, it failed to increase further despite the pilot's efforts to rectify the gauge reading by tapping on the instrument face.

In response to the unreliable instrumentation, the pilot reduced power by pulling back the throttles and applied maximum braking. However, the aircraft was unable to stop within the 4,451-foot runway. The plane overran the end of the runway, descended down a hill, and eventually collided with a fence. The pilot had previously noted that under the prevailing conditions, the aircraft was capable of accelerating to rotation speed and returning to a stop within a distance of less than 3,500 feet.

Findings

An inspection of the aircraft following the accident identified the primary reason for the instrumentation failure. The pitot tube was found to be internally blocked by a combination of mud and an insect.

Probable cause

The blockage of the pitot tube by mud and an insect caused inaccurate airspeed readings, leading to an aborted takeoff and subsequent runway overrun.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1994-07-12 Piper PA-60 Aerostar (Ted Smith 600) accident near White Plains-Westchester County, United States of America?

An aircraft overran its runway and struck a fence during an aborted takeoff attempt after experiencing airspeed indications errors.

Were there any fatalities in the 1994-07-12 Piper PA-60 Aerostar (Ted Smith 600) accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1994-07-12 involved a Piper PA-60 Aerostar (Ted Smith 600), registration N323CB, operated by Clifford Botway, at White Plains-Westchester County, United States of America.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The blockage of the pitot tube by mud and an insect caused inaccurate airspeed readings, leading to an aborted takeoff and subsequent runway overrun.

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