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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

December 2, 1997 · Piper PA-46-350P · N6295Z

Vicksburg, MI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 2, 1997
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Vicksburg, MI
Aircraft
Piper PA-46-350P
Tail Number
N6295Z
Operator
Hov-Aire
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI98LA052

The pilot reported that the airplane went over a large hump in the runway during the takeoff roll at about 800 feet from the approach end of the runway. He reported the airplane veered to the left and the 'takeoff was aborted.' The passenger, who was on board to monitor the instruments, reported that the intended flight was a maintenance test flight. The passenger reported that the airplane entered a large dip in the runway about 1,200 feet from the approach end of the runway. He reported the airplane became 'airborne near stall speed.' The left wing struck the ground. The airplane departed the left side of the runway at about a 45 degree angle and traveled approximately another 1,000 feet before striking a row of small trees before coming to rest.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's inadequate preflight preparation and his failure to maintain directional control during takeoff. A factor was the uneven runway at the grass airstrip.

Full Narrative

On December 2, 1997, at 1330 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-46-350P, N6295Z , operated by Hov-Aire, Inc., sustained substantial damage when it hit trees on the side of the runway during an aborted takeoff. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was departing an unnamed grass airstrip on a local maintenance test flight with Kalamazoo, Michigan, as the destination. The pilot lost control of the aircraft after it hit a dip in the runway. The private pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that he was departing a private airfield located about seven miles south of Kalamazoo, Michigan. The airplane went over a large hump in the runway during the takeoff roll at about 800 feet from the approach end of the runway. The pilot reported the airplane veered to the left and the "takeoff was aborted." An Operations Safety Inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration interviewed the passenger who had sat in the right seat of the airplane during the accident. The passenger, who was on board to monitor the instruments, reported that the intended flight was a maintenance test flight. The passenger reported that the airplane entered a large dip in the runway about 1,200 feet from the approach end of the runway. He reported the airplane became "airborne near stall speed." The left wing struck the ground. The airplane departed the left side of the runway at about a 45 degree angle and traveled approximately another 1,000 feet before striking a row of small trees before coming to rest. The examination of the airplane revealed no abnormalities.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:30 EST
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-46-350P
Tail NumberN6295Z
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorHov-Aire
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · TIO-540 AE2A · Reciprocating · 350
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 56 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 2300 ft
Temperature / Dew Point50 / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time22:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data