Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary GAA18CA546

De Pere, WI, USA

Aircraft #1

N7595R

Piper PA28

Analysis

The pilot reported that he initiated a takeoff roll on the 2,200-ft-long wet, turf runway, and that, about 1,650 ft down the runway, the airplane encountered standing water, and the speed decreased. He reported that he "still felt I had plenty of room to regain airspeed and take off safely." The airplane encountered standing water again on another section of the runway, and the speed decreased further. The pilot retracted two notches of flaps and attempted to climb the airplane, but it exited the departure end of the runway and entered a cornfield. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine mounts. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Factual Information

The pilot reported that he initiated a takeoff roll on the 2,200-foot wet turf runway, and about 1,650-feet down the runway, the airplane encountered standing water and the airplane's airspeed decreased. He reported that he "still felt I had plenty of room to regain airspeed and takeoff safely." The airplane encountered additional standing water on another section of the runway and the airplane's airspeed again decreased. The pilot retracted 2 notches of flaps and attempted to climb, but the airplane exited the departure end of the runway and collided with a cornfield. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine mounts. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's improper decision not to abort the takeoff after the airplane encountered standing water on the runway, which decreased its speed and led to its subsequent inability to climb and resulted in a runway overrun.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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