Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
the pilot's improper takeoff abort. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper preflight planning and preparation.
Aircraft Information
Analysis
On May 27, 1997, about 0905 hours local island time, a Piper PA-32-300, N4510X, operated by Pacific Island Aviation, Inc., was substantially damaged during an aborted takeoff from the West Tinian Airport in the northern Mariana Islands. Neither the pilot nor the four passengers were injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 CFR Part 135 flight and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft was departing for Saipan.
According to the pilot, the takeoff was normal and after liftoff from runway 08, he could not move the control yoke forward or aft. He decided to abort and land straight ahead. The aircraft porpoised down the remaining 1,500 feet of runway collapsing the nose landing gear.
A postaccident examination of the aircraft by two FAA inspectors failed to find any type of control interference. The inspectors reported that the company station manager said the pilot had initially reported "odd vibrations" just before the abort.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# LAX97LA196