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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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July 16, 2011 · Hamlin John D CH701 · N9040W

Paxton, IL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 16, 2011
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Paxton, IL
Aircraft
Hamlin John D CH701
Tail Number
N9040W
Operator
Shawn D Bennett
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN11CA486

According to the pilot, during departure with a slight, quartering tailwind, the airplane did not continue climbing or gain altitude due to the high density altitude. The airplane started to descend and he realized that he would not clear the powerlines at the end of the runway, so he banked the airplane to the left and made a hard landing in the grass which resulted in substantial damage to the firewall, lower forward fuselage, and rudder. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB Probable Cause

Environmental issues-Operating environment-Airport facilities/design-Runway/landing area condition-Effect on operation

Full Narrative

The pilot reported that the airplane did not gain enough altitude on takeoff to clear powerlines near the end of the runway. He banked the airplane to the left and made a hard landing in grass, which resulted in substantial damage to the firewall, lower forward fuselage, and rudder. The takeoff was made to the north with a slight quartering tailwind on an up-sloping runway. The field elevation was approximately 755 feet, with an outside temperature of 86 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point of 68 degrees Fahrenheit, and a barometric pressure of 30.07 inches of Mercury resulting in a density altitude of approximately 2,778 feet. The airplane was powered by a 65 horsepower engine and the pilot calculated the gross weight of the airplane to be near the maximum gross weight. The pilot reported there were no mechanical failures/malfunctions with the airplane prior to the accident.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:00 CDT
Nearest AirportPaxton Airport (0nm)
Runway36
Runway Length3409 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftHamlin John D CH701
Tail NumberN9040W
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorShawn D Bennett
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsCont Motor · A65 · Reciprocating · 65
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 56 · Sprt · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind225° @ 3 kt
Visibility10 sm
Ceiling12000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point68 F
Altimeter30.06 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data