# NTSB CHI94LA293: Snow 600B, N39762, Grundy Center, IA, August 13, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 13, 1994, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Grundy Center, IA - Coordinates: 42.459865, -91.889129 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4599&lon=-91.8891&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 9, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9649 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA293 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9649/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA293 ## Probable cause the pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff and his delay in aborting the takeoff. Factors in the accident were condition of the runway, the road, and the ditch. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Overrun, landing - aborted - aborted takeoff - delayed, pilot in command (cause) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted - terrain condition - roadway/highway (contributing factor) - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor) ## Analysis THE PILOT STATED ALL INDICATIONS WERE NORMAL ON THE ENGINE, CONTROL, AND INSTRUMENT CHECKS PRIOR TO ATTEMPTING TO TAKEOFF ON THE TURF RUNWAY. THE CONDITION OF THE RUNWAY WAS SOFT AND DAMP DUE TO SOME RAIN WHICH THE LOCAL AREA HAD RECEIVED THE NIGHT BEFORE. WHILE APPROXIMATELY 30 PERCENT DOWN THE RUNWAY ON THE TAKEOFF ROLL, THE PILOT STATED HE FELT AS IF THE AIRPLANE HAD HIT SOMETHING. CONTINUING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, THE PILOT STATED HE REALIZED SOMETHING WAS NOT RIGHT. HE DECIDED TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO STOP BUT THE AIRPLANE EXITED THE END OF THE RUNWAY, CROSSED AN ADJACENT ROAD, AND CAME TO REST IN A DTICH. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL ABNORMALITIES WERE REPORTED BY THE PILOT. A POSTACCIDENT EXAMINATION PREFORMED ON THE ENGINE REVEALED NO ANOMALIES WHICH WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN A POWER LOSS. ## Factual narrative On August 13, 1994, at 1700 central daylight time, a Snow 600B, N39762, registered to Kyle E. Rich of Independence, Iowa, and piloted by a commercially certificated pilot, was substantially damaged during a collision with a ditch and terrain during an aborted takeoff. The pilot had aborted takeoff on Runway 35 (1,550' x 160' damp sod) at Grundy Center Municipal Airport, Grundy Center, Iowa. The 14 CFR Part 137 flight operated in visual meteorological conditions without flight plan. The pilot reported no injuries. In a written statement, the pilot reported all indications were normal on the engine, instrument, and control checks prior to attempting to takeoff. He stated that at approximately 30 percent down the runway on the takeoff roll, "...I felt like I had hit something." The pilot stated he continued the takeoff roll, but realized that something was not normal. He then decided to abort the takeoff. In an attempt to stop the airplane, the pilot stated he pulled the control stick back. The airplane exited the end of the runway, crossed an adjacent road, and came to rest in a ditch. Damage to the airplane included the undercarriage being completely torn off. No preimpact mechanical abnormalities were reported by the pilot. A postaccident examination preformed on the engine revealed low compression on the number 8 cylinder. The mechanic who performed the inspection stated he felt this was due to the engine being cold and possibly a valve which was not seating properly. He stated that has the engine been warm the compression would have been normal. The local area had received rain the night prior to the day of the accident. The condition of the field was soft and damp, but there was no standing water. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N39762](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N39762-1994-11-04), registration cancelled 1994-11-04, S/N 6001365D (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SNOW 600B - Registry model: [Snow 600 S-2D](https://openairdocs.org/model/snow-600-s-2d) (registry code 8380306) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 600-1365D - Airframe hours: 2946 - Engines: P&W R1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Kyle E. Rich - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: 6K7 - Destination: 6K7, IA - Airport: 6K7, Grundy Center Municipal, runway 35, 2,550 × 160 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 1,752 total, 324 in this make and model, 1,467 as pilot in command, 285 in the last 90 days, 95 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19940813021379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940813021379A), Aug 13, 1994: Grundy Center, IA, Substantial damage. Tried depart soft damp turf runway. Aborted late. Overran end runway into ditch. From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.