Pilot Debrief

BEECH P35 near Englewood, CO — 2012-04-22

Final reportCEN12LA252
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Date
2012-04-22
Location
Englewood, CO, USA
Airport
APA
Aircraft
BEECH P35
Registration
N8518M
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to abort the takeoff after the airplane failed to gain adequate airspeed.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he focused "solely on the airspeed" indicator during takeoff and that the airplane was slow to gain airspeed. He observed the airspeed needle enter the white band and then the bottom of the green band by the end of the runway. The airplane became airborne but did not gain altitude. The pilot saw the perimeter fence, increased the pitch of the airplane, and then heard the stall warning sound. The airplane hit the fence and then impacted the ground, which resulted in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted takeoff when airspeed was slow to gain.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents5

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