N3583V

On July 8, 2000, about 2230 Eastern Daylight Time, a Cessna 140, N3583V, was substantially damaged during an aborted takeoff from the Barber Airport, Alliance, Ohio. The certificated commercial pilot and passenger were not injured. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the local flight destined for the Elyria Airport, Elyria, Ohio. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

The airplane was departing Runway 09, a 2,088 foot-long, 130 foot-wide, turf runway, equipped with non-standard runway edge lights located on the left side of the runway.

The pilot stated that the airplane accelerated normally; however, he felt uncomfortable not being able to see the tree line at the end of the runway and described his view as, "looking into a black hole." When the airplane was about three-quarters of the way down the runway, he elected to abort the takeoff. During the aborted takeoff, he applied heavy braking; however, the airplane entered an area of mud located at the end of the runway, and nosed over.

The pilot stated he did not experience any mechanical abnormalities.

The pilot reported 315 hours of total fight experience, of which, about 70 hours were in make and model. Additionally, the pilot had accumulated 15.3 hours of night flight experience; which included about 1 hour of night flight time and five night takeoffs and landings during the 20 days prior to the accident.