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May 3, 2019 · Cessna 340 Undesignat · N5418M

Carvers, NV

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 3, 2019
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (5 uninjured)
Location
Carvers, NV
Aircraft
Cessna 340 Undesignat (1971)
Tail Number
N5418M
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
GAA19CA281

The pilot of the multiengine airplane reported that, while using a short-field takeoff technique on a private, dirt airstrip, the airplane encountered soft patches of dirt. He rotated the airplane to initiate a climb, but the airplane could not climb higher than ground effect, and the stall horn sounded. He lowered the nose to gain airspeed, but the landing gear impacted a gravel berm, which sheared off the landing gear. The airplane then skidded 150 ft and came to rest in a dirt field past the end of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and right horizontal stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot also reported that, before takeoff, he determined that there was about 5,000 ft of usable runway; however, the runway was actually about 3,500 ft long. He added that he believed the airport elevation was about 5,000 ft mean sea level, and the density altitude was about 8,000 ft. Given this information, it is likely that the pilot's failure to accurately assess the available runway resulted in impact with a gravel berm during the attempted takeoff.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s failure to accurately assess the available runway for the takeoff, which resulted in impact with a gravel berm.

Full Narrative

The pilot of the multi-engine airplane reported that, while utilizing a short field takeoff technique on a private, dirt airstrip, the airplane encountered soft patches of dirt. He rotated the airplane to initiate a climb, but the airplane could not climb higher than ground effect and the stall horn sounded. He lowered the nose to gain airspeed, but the landing gear impacted the gravel berm, which sheared off the landing gear and the airplane came to rest in the dirt field. The pilot also reported that, before takeoff, he walked the airstrip and determined there was about 5,000 ft of usable runway and he estimated he needed 3,800 ft. The airport elevation was about 5, 000 feet and the density altitude was about 8,000 ft. After the accident, the pilot used Google Earth to measure the runway. According to Google Earth the runway length was about 3,500 ft. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and right horizontal stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that the wind was light and variable, visibility 10 statute miles, temperature 72°F. The airplane was departing to the south. The airport elevation was about 5,500 ft mean sea level (msl). The calculated density altitude was 7,400 ft. The calculated takeoff distance on a level, hard surface, dry runway was 2,240 ft and the takeoff distance over a 50 ft obstacle was 2,930 ft. The calculated maximum rate of climb was 1,400 ft/min.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:00 PDT
Nearest AirportPrivate Field (0nm)
Runway17
Runway Length5000 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 340 Undesignat
Tail NumberN5418M
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-520-N · Reciprocating · 310 | Continental · TSIO-520-N · Reciprocating · 310
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (5 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured5
Total5
Crew 1Age 61 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind330° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 10 C
Altimeter30.04 inHg
Observation Time21:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data