Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA-23-250 near Hillsboro, OR — 2013-03-18

Final reportWPR13LA154
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Date
2013-03-18
Location
Hillsboro, OR, USA
Airport
7S3
Aircraft
PIPER PA-23-250
Registration
N318CA
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

A runway overrun due to an insufficient stopping distance due to the downsloping runway during a rejected takeoff. Contributing to the accident was a cabin door that inadvertently opened during the takeoff roll.

NTSB narrative

The flight was to be the private pilot's first multiengine lesson. Both he and the instructor performed an uneventful preflight check and run-up, which included a check of the brakes and the security of the cabin door. During the takeoff roll, the cabin door opened, and the flight instructor called for the pilot to abort the takeoff. The pilot reduced engine power to idle and applied pressure to the brake pedals. The airplane began to decelerate; however, as it approached the end of the runway, brake effectiveness began to dissipate, and the airplane travelled beyond the threshold, coming to rest in a ditch. The airplane was equipped with foot-operated brakes on the left side only, which was occupied by the pilot undergoing instruction. The remaining runway distance, had it been flat, should have provided for an adequate distance to stop; however, the runway sloped downhill, with its gradient rapidly increasing beyond the threshold. It is likely that this increased downsloping gradient resulted in an increased distance needed to stop the airplane. Postaccident examination of the braking system revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have ensured door was properly secured before takeoff.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 5 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents5

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