BEECH A36 near Ray, MI — 2022-07-24

Final reportCEN22LA336

Date: 2022-07-24
Location: Ray, MI, USA
Airport: 57D
Aircraft: BEECH A36
Registration: N60ED
Category: Airplane
Highest injury: Serious
Fatalities: 0
Phase of flight: Takeoff roll

Probable cause

The pilot’s early rotation on takeoff, which resulted in insufficient airspeed and an inability to gain sufficient altitude to clear the trees.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll, when the airplane reached 70 knots indicated airspeed (KIAS), he rotated the airplane for takeoff. He pitched the nose of the airplane for the takeoff climb and at 77 KIAS he retracted the landing gear. The airplane drifted to the right, the right wing dipped, and the nose began to pitch down. When the pilot checked airspeed, it indicated 64 KIAS and the airplane felt “sloshy.” The pilot reported the airplane was descending toward the trees at the end of the runway as the stall warning horn sounded. The airplane then collided with the trees and descended to impact with the terrain before a fire erupted. The pilot and passengers were able to exit the airplane before it was engulfed by the flames. The pilot reported the engine rpm’s did not diminish and there were no abrupt changes in power during the takeoff. A witness saw the airplane as it departed runway 28 (2,495 ft long). According to the witness, the airplane rotated about 3/4 of the length down the runway. The witness then saw the landing gear retract and the airplane appeared to struggle to climb. The wings wobbled and the airplane yawed to the right. An examination of the airframe, engine, and turbocharger did not detect any preimpact anomalies. The airplane was modified via supplemental type certificate with a turbocharger that allowed for operation of the airplane at weights above the original airplane’s type certificate design. Using the original manufacturer’s performance chart, takeoff distances and airspeeds are increased, and for the accident flight, the pilot rotated the airplane between 5 to 16 knots early depending on his expectation of a 50 ft obstacle. This early rotation likely rendered the airplane incapable of climbing.