AUGUSTA, KS, USA
N11HM
BENHAM F8L FALCO
The pilot stated that a 90 to 100 degree change in wind direction occurred just after liftoff. His airspeed dropped about 10 knots, and he elected to abort the takeoff because of obstacles off the end of the runway. The airplane traveled off the end of the runway and through a fence prior to coming to rest in a wooded area.
On September 17, 1995, at 1815 central daylight time, a Benham F8L Falco homebuilt, N11HM, collided with a fence and trees during an aborted takeoff from the Brady-Pippin Field, Augusta, Kansas, while on a personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The airplane was destroyed. The pilot and passenger both reported having received minor injuries. The flight was to have originated at the time of the accident. The pilot reported that prior to takeoff the winds were from 180 degrees so he elected to use runway 18 for departure. He reported that one to two seconds after liftoff his airspeed decreased from 62 KIAS to 52 KIAS and the right wing dropped. He stated he noted that the midfield windsock was now showing a 90 to 100 degrees shift in the wind direction. He stated that because of obstacles at the end of the airstrip, he elected to abort the takeoff. The pilot reported that he applied maximum braking; however, the airplane continued off the end of the runway. The airplane traveled through a fence and came to stop in a wooded area off the end of the airstrip.
a sudden shift in wind direction which resulted in diminished airspeed during takeoff.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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