N80964

On June 28, 1997, about 2000 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-161, N80964, was destroyed as it collided with a fence during an aborted takeoff at the Block Island Sate Airport (BID), Block Island, Rhode Island. The certificated private pilot and one passenger were uninjured. A second passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

The private pilot reported that he had departed Sikorsky Memorial Airport (BDR), Bridgeport, Connecticut, with full tanks, and after landing at BID, did not receive any services. After completing all pre-flight and pre-takeoff items on the checklist, the pilot elected to perform a no flap takeoff. The pilot stated that the airplane accelerated to 65 knots and "I pulled back on the yoke and the plane wouldn't take off." The pilot aborted the takeoff by "pulling the throttle to the closed position and simultaneously applying the brakes." The airplane rolled off the departure end of the runway, down an embankment, and struck a chain link fence where it came to rest in an upright position.

A Federal Aviation Administration Inspector and a Rhode Island Airports Corporation Inspector examined the wreckage on June 29, 1997. They reported that faint traces of rubber were found on the runway that corresponded to the wheel marks in the grass which lead to the airplane. The marks in the grass did not show signs of tearing or furrowing consistent with heavy breaking or skidding of tires. No malfunction anomalies were found with the airframe or the engine. The right wing was separated from the fuselage at the forward attaching point with the main wing spar cracked, but was still attached. The right wing fuel tank was compromised, and the left wing fuel tank appeared to be full.

Further examination of the flight controls revealed that the elevator trim indicator was set in approximately a 3/4 nose down position.

A Piper Pilot Operating Handbook indicated that a normal take-off elevator trim would be neutral or slightly aft of neutral (nose up) setting.