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NTSB Report
July 27, 1990 · Piper PA-24-250 · N5278P
Concord, NC
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 27, 1990
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
Concord, NC
Aircraft
Piper PA-24-250
Tail Number
N5278P
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL90LA149
THE PILOT WAS ON TAKEOFF ROLL AND DETERMINED THAT HE COULD NOT CLIMB ABOVE TREES LOCATED OFF THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY. HE ABORTED THE TAKEOFF AND COULD NOT BRING THE AIRPLANE TO A STOP IN THE REMAINING RUNWAY DISTANCE. THE AIRPLANE ENTERED HIGH WEEDS AND CONTACTED A DITCH WHICH WAS NOT VISIBLE FROM THE RUNWAY. THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY WAS DIRT, BARE OF GRASS FROM FREQUENT LANDINGS. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE WAS ACCUSTOMED TO MAKING TAKEOFFS IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION, WHERE THE DEPARTURE END OBSTRUCTIONS WERE NOT AS HIGH. THE PILOT ALSO REPORTED THAT HE WAS ABOUT 65 POUNDS UNDER MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT AT TAKEOFF. HE REPORTED NO MECHANICAL DIFFICULTIES WITH THE AIRPLANE.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING AND PREPARATION, IN THAT HE DID NOT FULLY CONSIDER THE EFFECTS OF HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS AND A POOR RUNWAY SURFACE CONDITION.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT WAS ON TAKEOFF ROLL AND DETERMINED THAT HE COULD NOT CLIMB ABOVE TREES LOCATED OFF THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY. HE ABORTED THE TAKEOFF AND COULD NOT BRING THE AIRPLANE TO A STOP IN THE REMAINING RUNWAY DISTANCE. THE AIRPLANE ENTERED HIGH WEEDS AND CONTACTED A DITCH WHICH WAS NOT VISIBLE FROM THE RUNWAY. THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY WAS DIRT, BARE OF GRASS FROM FREQUENT LANDINGS. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE WAS ACCUSTOMED TO MAKING TAKEOFFS IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION, WHERE THE DEPARTURE END OBSTRUCTIONS WERE NOT AS HIGH. THE PILOT ALSO REPORTED THAT HE WAS ABOUT 65 POUNDS UNDER MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT AT TAKEOFF. HE REPORTED NO MECHANICAL DIFFICULTIES WITH THE AIRPLANE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:15 EDT
Nearest AirportGoodnight'S (0nm N)
Runway33
Runway Length2640 ft
Runway Width40 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-24-250
Tail NumberN5278P
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540-A1C5 · Reciprocating · 250
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (4 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total4
Crew 1Age 41 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind330° @ 15 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO