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NTSB Report
August 22, 1991 · Piper PA-22-135 · N3781A
Mead, WA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 22, 1991
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (2 serious injuries, 1 minor injury)
Location
Mead, WA
Aircraft
Piper PA-22-135
Tail Number
N3781A
Operator
Dennis W Van Fossen
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
SEA91LA218
THE PILOT INITIATED A TAKEOFF ON A HOT DAY WITH UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITIONS, THE ACFT WAS LOADED AT NEAR MAX GROSS TAKEOFF WT. WHEN THE ACFT REACHED TAKEOFF SPEED, THE PILOT APPLIED FLAPS AND ROTATED, BUT THE ACFT WOULD NOT FLY. HE ABORTED THE TAKEOFF TOO LATE TO STOP ON THE RUNWAY. THE ACFT DEPARTED THE END OF THE RUNWAY AND IMPACTED TERRAIN.
NTSB Probable Cause
IMPROPER PREFLIGHT PLANNING BY THE PILOT, AND THE PILOT'S DELAY IN ABORTING THE TAKEOFF. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE HIGH TEMPERATURE AND UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDIITON.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT INITIATED A TAKEOFF ON A HOT DAY WITH UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITIONS, THE ACFT WAS LOADED AT NEAR MAX GROSS TAKEOFF WT. WHEN THE ACFT REACHED TAKEOFF SPEED, THE PILOT APPLIED FLAPS AND ROTATED, BUT THE ACFT WOULD NOT FLY. HE ABORTED THE TAKEOFF TOO LATE TO STOP ON THE RUNWAY. THE ACFT DEPARTED THE END OF THE RUNWAY AND IMPACTED TERRAIN.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:45 PDT
Nearest AirportMEAD (0nm N)
Runway34
Runway Length2550 ft
Runway Width30 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-22-135
Tail NumberN3781A
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorDennis W Van Fossen
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-290-D2 · Reciprocating · 135
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary3 injuries (2 serious injuries, 1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 32 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind250° @ 11 kt
Visibility30 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point48
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time17:45
Weather SourceWFAC