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NTSB Report

May 24, 2000 · Piper PA-28R-180 · N3700T

Tonopah, NV

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 24, 2000
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Tonopah, NV
Aircraft
Piper PA-28R-180
Tail Number
N3700T
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX00LA204

A hard landing ensued when the pilot aborted the takeoff just after liftoff from the runway. According to the pilot, he had just refueled his airplane following a cross-country flight to the accident airport. The engine run-up and magneto check before takeoff was normal. As he taxied onto the runway, he noted that the winds were light and temperature was in the 70's. The pilot said that during the takeoff roll, he believed he pulled the airplane off the runway prematurely, as the airplane felt like it was in ground effect. He aborted the takeoff to prevent the airplane from stalling, and the airplane dropped several feet onto the runway, damaging the wings and main gear. The pilot stated there were no engine malfunctions during the flight.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to attain the proper rotation airspeed during initial takeoff and his improper aborted takeoff procedures.

Full Narrative

On May 24, 2000, at 0930 hours Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-28R-180, N3700T, landed hard after an aborted takeoff during initial climb at Tonopah, Nevada. The commercial pilot and his passenger were not injured. The airplane owned and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage during the hard landing. The pilot did not file a flight plan, and the airplane was being flown under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot was destined for Willits, California, when the accident occurred. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that he departed Willits at 0630, and continued on to Tonopah where he landed on runway 33. He described the winds at the time as "light." He said he taxied to the fuel pump and topped off the fuel tanks. After refueling the airplane, he taxied to runway 33 for departure. He stated he did a run-up and magneto check, which appeared to be normal. He said he taxied onto the active runway approximately 0930. He said the winds were light and the temperature was about 70 to 75 degrees. On the takeoff roll he said he pulled the airplane off prematurely as the airplane felt "like it was in ground effect." The pilot said at that point, he felt he needed to abort the takeoff to prevent a stall. He said the airplane dropped several feet onto the concrete runway, damaging the main gear and wings. The pilot told investigators that he did not have an engine problem but that the takeoff seemed "mushy."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:30 PDT
Nearest AirportTonopah Airport (0nm NNW)
Runway33
Runway Length7057 ft
Runway Width80 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28R-180
Tail NumberN3700T
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-BIE · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 70 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind290° @ 6 kt
Visibility50 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 15000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point18 C / 12 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time16:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data