19991020030919A

(.19) On October 20, 1999, at 1445 mountain daylight time (MDT), a Piper PA-32-300, N2XT, operated by a private pilot, was destroyed when during an aborted takeoff, the airplane exceeded the prepared surface of runway 26 (5,500 feet by 60 feet, dry asphalt) at the Custer County Airport, south dakota. Once off the end of the runway, the airplane went off a shallow cliff, and struck a boulder and some trees. A post-crash fire ensued which consumed the airplane. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under 14 CFR part 91. There was no flight plan on file. The pilot and two of the passengers on board reported no injuries. A third passenger sustained minor injuries. The cross country flight was originating at the time of the accident, with an intended destination of chamberlain, south dakota. In his statement to a federal aviation administration (FAA) inspector, the pilot said that they making an intersection takeoff on runway 26. The intersection, formed by the runway and north-south taxiway, was located 1,400 feet from the approach end of the runway. During the takeoff roll, when he determined that he was not going to get off of the ground, the pilot attempted to abort the takeoff. The pilot did not apply the brakes until the airplane was off of the ground, the pilot attempted to abort the takeoff. The pilot did not apply the brakes until the airplane was off of the prepared surface. The pilot said that after the airplane stopped, they all got out and unloaded their baggage. They then noticed smoke coming out of the area from underneath the engine. They looked for the fire extinguisher in the airplane, but could not find it. Moments later, the airplane was on fire. A federal aviation administration (FAA) inspector examined the wreckage at the accident site. The remains of the airplane rested approximately 450 feet west of the departure end of runway 26. Approximately 400 feet west of the departure end of the runway, the terrain dropped off abruptly creating a 5 foot drop off. At the foot of the drop off was a large boulder, approximately 5 feet in diameter. The airplane's nose gear struck the boulder. Approx. 30 feet west of the boulder were two 8-inch diameter pine trees. The airplane's right wing was broken off and resting at the base of the trees. The remainder o f the airplane was located 20 feet west of the trees. A two acre area of grass land was burned in the area surrounding the airplane. Flight control continuity was confirmed. Examination of the engine, engine controls and other airplane systems revealed no anomalies. (-23)see CHI00LA013 (.4) the pilot performed an intersection takeoff with 4,100 feet of usable runway remaining. As he took the runway for takeoff, the pilot advanced the throttle to half full, then followed with full throttle after the roll was initiated. The pilot said that the airplane did not perform as expected during the takeoff roll. 'The nose of the aircraft was gradually lifted off the runway and the typical liftoff and climbout power anticipated was absent.' The pilot determined the airplane was not going to get safely airborne and aborted the takeoff. The pilot said that he applied brakes, but determined that his speed was going to take him off the end of the runway. The pilot said he avoided obstacles as the airplane passed over 'an approximately 10 feet drop off.' He guided the airplane between a 7 foot tall tree which t ook off the right wing. Examination of the wreckage revealed no anomalies. According to the 25-degree flaps takeoff ground roll chart in the pilot's operating handbook; for a 3,600 pound airplane, temperature of 60 degrees fahrenheit, pressure altitude of 6,800 feet MSL, and estimated headwind of 5 knots, the takeoff ground roll was approximately 1,950 feet. Associated conditions included 2,700 RPM, full throttle before brake release, and a paved, level, dry runway. The flaps up takeoff ground roll chart for a 3,600 pound airplane and the same conditions, showed the takeoff ground roll to be approximately 2,790 feet. (-23)on October 20, 1999, at approximately 2:45 mt a Piper m/n PA-32R-300, N2XT, operated by private pilot bradley willis miller, attempted to abort takeoff on runway 26 at the Custer, SD airport (SD01). Runway 26 at the Custer, SD airport is 60 foot wide ND 5500 foot long asphalt runway. Private pilot bradley willis miller attempted an intersection takeoff to the west on the remaining 4165 foot long runway 26, which is uphill. Mr miller left approximately 1335 feet of unused runway behind him. The density altitude was reported to be approximately 6800 feet and mr miller did not use any flaps. The aircraft ran off the end of runway 26, through the extended safety turf area, over a bank and into the woods where the right wing struck a tree and was torn off. Rapid evacuation by private pilot bradley willis miller, and the three passengers was performed. They were able to get out of the aircraft with the majority of their baggage before it was engulfed by flames. One passenger received minor injuries. The aircraft was destroyed by fire. The aircraft was on a personal flight from Tennessee, via Custer, SD en route to chamberlain, SD(9V9), under CFR part 91 when the accident occurred. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no VFR flight plan was filed.