N5521J

Substantial
None

Piper PA-32-260S/N: 32-958

Accident Details

Date
Sunday, March 30, 2008
NTSB Number
LAX08CA111
Location
Grand Canyon, AZ
Event ID
20080501X00578
Coordinates
35.650554, -112.148056
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
4
Total Aboard
4

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions and delay in aborting the takeoff. Contributing to the accident were wind gusts and a crosswind.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
PIPER
Serial Number
32-958
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1967
Model / ICAO
PA-32-260PA32
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1
Seats
6
FAA Model
PA-32-260

Registered Owner (Current)

Name
VANRIDER JEFFREY F
Address
6649 COUNTY ROAD 150
City
WILDWOOD
State / Zip Code
FL 34785-8229
Country
United States

Analysis

After fueling the airplane, a normal engine start was accomplished and the pilot announced on Unicom that he was taxiing to runway 19 for engine run up. Prior to takeoff, the pilot requested a wind check, and was given 170 to 220 degrees at 20-25 knots. During the takeoff roll, the airplane drifted towards the right edge of the runway. The airplane became airborne momentarily, but settled back to the runway as it continued to accelerate. With about a quarter of the runway remaining, the pilot aborted the takeoff. During the pilot's attempts to stop the airplane, it overran the end of the runway and came to rest approximately 100 feet from the end. The left wing's spar was bent, and the wing's top skin and bottom skin were wrinkled.

The pilot had three passengers on board. The density altitude was 7,000 feet. The conditions at Grand Canyon National Park Airport, approximately 18 nautical miles north of the accident site, were wind from 210 to 240 degrees at 22 knots, gusting to 31 knots.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# LAX08CA111