What happened
While performing a takeoff roll on runway 20 at Surkhet Airport, the aircraft began to skid. Mid-way through the acceleration phase, the crew initiated an aborted takeoff procedure. However, the aircraft could not decelerate sufficiently within the available runway length. The aircraft subsequently overran the end of the runway and settled in a nearby ravine.
At the time of the incident, the weather was characterized by light winds and an outside air temperature of 18° C. The runway, which is a grass surface measuring 3,400 feet in length, was noted to have high turf. Both the pilot and the co-pilot managed to exit the aircraft without injuries, though the aircraft was declared a total loss due to the extent of the damage.
Findings
Investigations into the excursion identified that the wetness of the grass surface, caused by morning dew, acted as a contributing factor. The combination of high vegetation and moisture likely reduced the available braking effectiveness during the rejected takeoff attempt.