N824C

Substantial
Minor

Beech A36S/N: E-3338

Accident Details

Date
Thursday, June 26, 2008
NTSB Number
LAX08CA173
Location
Ryegate, MT
Event ID
20080718X01072
Coordinates
46.131389, -109.375000
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
1
Uninjured
2
Total Aboard
3

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to abort the takeoff when the ground roll acceleration profile was determined to be insufficient for takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the shifting wind conditions.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N824C
Make
BEECH
Serial Number
E-3338
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
2000
Model / ICAO
A36BE36
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
SIGNATURE AIRCRAFT INC
Address
3511 SILVERSIDE RD STE 105
Status
Deregistered
City
WILMINGTON
State / Zip Code
DE 19810-4902
Country
United States

Analysis

The pilot reported that prior to departure he checked the weather and performed a preflight inspection. He observed the direction of the windsock, and stated that it favored a takeoff from runway 23. He completed an uneventful run-up, and began the takeoff roll. Halfway down the turf runway he observed the airplane's airspeed to be indicating 60 knots. He stated that at this point on the takeoff roll he expected the airspeed to have reached 70 knots. The airplane continued to accelerate to 65 knots, and with the end of the runway approaching, the pilot 'forced' the airplane airborne and retracted the landing gear. The airplane settled to the ground and then collided with trees at the end of the runway. The pilot observed the wind direction after the accident, and noted that it was out of the northeast. He opined that the airplane had encountered a sudden wind shift or downdraft during the takeoff roll.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# LAX08CA173