Pilot Debrief

BEECH F33A near Tarentum, PA — 2011-05-11

Final reportERA11FA293
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Date
2011-05-11
Location
Tarentum, PA, USA
Airport
9G1
Aircraft
BEECH F33A
Registration
N17825
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

The pilot's delay in aborting the takeoff, which resulted in a runway overrun. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight planning and excessive loading of the airplane.

NTSB narrative

According to passengers, the airplane began its takeoff roll at the approach end of the runway, accelerated, lifted off, climbed a few feet, and settled back on the runway. The airplane "swerved" as it slowed and then overran the departure end of the runway and 100 feet of the grass overrun area. Skid marks were observed about 712 feet before the end of the runway. Postaccident examination of the wreckage revealed no preimpact mechanical anomalies. The engine was test run and it operated satisfactorily. Weight and balance calculations revealed the estimated weight of the airplane at takeoff was 3,830 pounds, which was 230 pounds above the maximum allowable gross weight. The accelerate/stop distance calculated for the airplane’s takeoff weight was 2,483 feet. Based on the length of the runway and the calculated accelerate/stop distance, the pilot should have been able to abort the takeoff in time to avoid an overrun.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Controlled flight into terrain
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted takeoff earlier to prevent overrun.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents18

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