Summary
On June 29, 2015, a Cessna 337 (N2181X) was involved in an incident near Blanding, UT. All 2 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot's selection of a departure runway of inadequate length for the density altitude, resulting in the airplane not gaining sufficient lift, departing the runway, and impacting terrain.
The pilot of the twin-engine airplane reported that prior to takeoff, he "didn't lean out the motors". He reported that during the takeoff roll, "there wasn't enough lift and probably the density altitude was involved." The airplane ran off the departure end of the runway into a field, impacted terrain, and sustained substantial damage to the empennage. The pilot reported that the accident was because of "pilot error."
The pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engines that would have precluded normal operation.
This incident is documented in NTSB report GAA15CA158. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N2181X.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's selection of a departure runway of inadequate length for the density altitude, resulting in the airplane not gaining sufficient lift, departing the runway, and impacting terrain.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
The pilot of the twin-engine airplane reported that prior to takeoff, he "didn't lean out the motors". He reported that during the takeoff roll, "there wasn't enough lift and probably the density altitude was involved." The airplane ran off the departure end of the runway into a field, impacted terrain, and sustained substantial damage to the empennage. The pilot reported that the accident was because of "pilot error."
The pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engines that would have precluded normal operation.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The computed density altitude for the departure airport was 8,570 feet at the time of the accident.
The Federal Aviation Administration aviation safety inspector reported that the pilot was not rated for multi-engine airplanes and that the airplane was not airworthy prior to the accident.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA15CA158