Summary
On June 28, 1993, a Piper PA-32 (N3490W) was involved in an accident near Spencer, MA. The accident resulted in 1 minor injury, with 3 people uninjured out of 4 aboard. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING FOR THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE DEPARTURE AND THE DELAY IN ABORTING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, WITH INSUFFICIENT RUNWAY REMAINING, RESULTING IN A COLLISION WITH TREES.
On Monday, June 28, 1993, at about 1230 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA 32 260, N3490W, owned and piloted by Thomas Worthington, of Furlong, Pennsylvania, overran the end of the runway during an aborted takeoff from the Spencer Airport, Spencer, Massachusetts. The airplane was substantially damaged. The pilot and two passengers were not injured, a third passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A flight plan had not been filed for the flight operating under 14 CFR 91.
According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector, the pilot reported that during the takeoff roll, the airplane had only accelerated to approximately 50 miles per hour, after using half of the 1,950 foot runway.
This accident is documented in NTSB report NYC93LA131. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N3490W.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING FOR THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE DEPARTURE AND THE DELAY IN ABORTING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, WITH INSUFFICIENT RUNWAY REMAINING, RESULTING IN A COLLISION WITH TREES
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On Monday, June 28, 1993, at about 1230 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA 32 260, N3490W, owned and piloted by Thomas Worthington, of Furlong, Pennsylvania, overran the end of the runway during an aborted takeoff from the Spencer Airport, Spencer, Massachusetts. The airplane was substantially damaged. The pilot and two passengers were not injured, a third passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A flight plan had not been filed for the flight operating under 14 CFR 91.
According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector, the pilot reported that during the takeoff roll, the airplane had only accelerated to approximately 50 miles per hour, after using half of the 1,950 foot runway. The pilot was unsure that the airplane could clear trees at the end of the runway and elected to abort the takeoff. The airplane overran the end of the runway, decelerated in light brush and impacted heavy brush.
The airplane was departing with four occupants, full fuel and several pieces of luggage. The airport elevation was 1050 feet above mean sea level and the outside air temperature was approximately 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# NYC93LA131