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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

April 26, 1999 · Beech 36 · N31291

Williamston, NC

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 26, 1999
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
Williamston, NC
Aircraft
Beech 36
Tail Number
N31291
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL99LA075

The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll he experienced a wind gust, and the left wing came up. The pilot elected to abort the takeoff. As the airplane settled back on the runway, it bounced, and veered off the left side of runway 3. No mechanical problems with the airplane were reported by the pilot. A review of existing weather data disclosed that the prevailing winds were 300 degrees at 9 knots. Other sources reported that the winds were out of the southwest at 10 knots. Examination of the pilot's certification data revealed that his medical certificate had expired.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate evaluation of winds that resulted in the loss of directional control during an attempted takeoff with a tailwind. A factor was the tailwind condition.

Full Narrative

On April 26, 1999, at 0926 eastern daylight time, a Beech 36, N31291, veered off the left side of runway 3 and collided with the ground during an attempted takeoff from the Martin County Airport in Williamston, North Carolina. The personal flight was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The private pilot and his three passengers were not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight originated in Williamston, North Carolina, at 0924. The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll, he experienced a wind gust, and the left wing came up. The pilot elected to abort the takeoff. As the airplane settled back on the runway, it bounced, and veered off the left side of the runway. No mechanical problems with the airplane were reported by the pilot. A review of existing weather data disclosed that the prevailing winds were 300 degrees at nine knots. Other sources reported that the winds were out of the southwest at ten knots. Examination of the pilot's certification data revealed that his medical certificate had expired.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:26 EDT
Nearest AirportMartin County Airport (0nm)
Runway3
Runway Length3696 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBeech 36
Tail NumberN31291
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-550-B · Reciprocating · 300
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (4 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total4
Crew 1Age 38 · Unknown

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind200° @ 9 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 20000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point68 F / 55
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time13:48
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data