N6556J

On June 20, 1998, approximately 1610 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-28-180, N6556J, impacted trees located about 100 feet from the edge of the runway during an aborted takeoff at Nehalem Bay State Airport, Manzanita, Oregon. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured, but the aircraft, which was owned and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal pleasure flight was departing for Troutdale, Oregon, at the time of the accident, and was being operated in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan had been filed, and there was no report of an ELT transmission.

According to the pilot, during her takeoff roll, the winds shifted so that she was encountering a 10 to 20 knot crosswind. As she continued the takeoff, the aircraft began to drift toward the side of the runway, and the pilot decided to abort the takeoff. During the attempted abort, the pilot was unable to compensate for the crosswinds, and the aircraft departed the runway. After departing the runway, the aircraft crossed a 100 foot wide grass area and impacted a stand of trees.