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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

March 24, 2003 · Beech A36 · N435P

Farmington, NM

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 24, 2003
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Farmington, NM
Aircraft
Beech A36
Tail Number
N435P
Operator
Mesa Pilot Development
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN03LA056

The pilot made a full-stop soft field landing on runway 07. As he taxied back, he decided to practice a soft field takeoff. After lowering the flaps to 12 degrees, he applied full power and lifted off. He applied slight right rudder to maintain the proper track and lowered the nose to see the runway and to "get into ground effect." The airplane began drifting to the left and he applied more right rudder. The airplane "appeared to lose lift." As the pilot tried to return the airplane to the runway centerline, he "felt a hit on the bottom of the plane" as it touched down in the dirt. The pilot said he was able to bring the airplane to a halt. He said it "steered OK," so he taxied it back to the ramp, but "felt obvious damage somewhere to the plane." Examination disclosed holes in the horizontal stabilizer and left elevator and a cracked trim tab. The aft spar of the horizontal stabilizer was also bent. The left landing gear door and left flap were destroyed and a wing rib was bent. The bottom of the fuselage, aft of the wing flap, was dented and the bulkhead was buckled. Winds before and after the accident were from 090 and 100 degrees at 6 and 5 knots, respectively.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's premature liftoff resulting in his failure to attain airspeed and achieve takeoff climb. Contributing factors were the runway light and taxiway sign.

Full Narrative

On March 24, 2003, approximately 0830 mountain standard time, a Beech A36, N435P, registered to and operated by San Juan Pilot Training, Inc., doing business as Mesa Pilot Development, was substantially damaged when it departed the runway during takeoff and struck a runway light and sign at Farmington, New Mexico. The student pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the instructional flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The local flight originated at Farmington approximately 0820 mountain standard time. The following is based on a telephone interview with, and the accident report submitted by, the pilot. The pilot made a full-stop soft field landing on runway 07. As he taxied back, he decided to practice a soft field takeoff. After lowering the flaps to 12 degrees, he applied full power and lifted off. He applied slight right rudder to maintain the proper track and lowered the nose to see the runway and to "get into ground effect." The airplane began drifting to the left and he applied more right rudder. The airplane "appeared to lose lift." As the pilot tried to return the airplane to the runway centerline, he "felt a hit on the bottom of the plane" as it touched down in the dirt. The pilot said he was able to bring the airplane to a halt. He said it "steered OK," so he taxied it back to the ramp, but "felt obvious damage somewhere to the plane." Examination disclosed holes in the horizontal stabilizer and left elevator and a cracked trim tab. The aft spar of the horizontal stabilizer was also bent.The left landing gear door and left flap were destroyed and a wing rib was bent. The bottom of the fuselage, aft of the wing flap, was dented and the bulkhead was buckled. Winds before and after the accident were from 090 and 100 degrees at 6 and 5 knots, respectively.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:30 MST
Nearest AirportFour Corners Regional (0nm)
Runway07
Runway Length6704 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBeech A36
Tail NumberN435P
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorMesa Pilot Development
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsTeledyne Continental · I0-550-B · Reciprocating · 300
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 26 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind100° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point46 / 27 C
Altimeter29.97 inHg
Observation Time14:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data