# NTSB ERA11CA378: Beech 77, N37148, Jonesville, VA, July 4, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 4, 2011, 14:45 local (18:45 UTC) - Place: Jonesville, VA - Coordinates: 36.650001, -83.216667 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6500&lon=-83.2167&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report October 17, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 81004 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11CA378 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81004/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81004 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA378 ## Probable cause The pilot's delayed decision to abort the takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech 77, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=1153007), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Beech 77, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=1153007), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md) - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech 77, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=1153007), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech 77, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=1153007), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Beech 77, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1153007), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that she was attempting to take off from a cow pasture. She landed the airplane in the pasture the previous day due to a loss of engine power. She reported that the loss of power was due to debris in the right fuel tank, which was subsequently removed by a mechanic. She measured the length of the field and found that it was shorter than is typically required, but elected to continue with the flight due to the downhill slope of the field. The owner of the pasture mowed a path for the takeoff and the pilot and her husband inspected the takeoff area for rocks and other obstructions. She also determined a "no-go" point on the ground in case the airplane did not accelerate adequately. She removed all unnecessary items from the airplane and prepared for takeoff. During the takeoff roll, the airplane did not accelerate as expected. She aborted the takeoff past the designated no-go point and was unable to stop the airplane before it collided with a fence post. The airplane caught fire as the pilot was exiting the cockpit. The airplane received structural damage to the left wing and fuselage and the pilot experienced second-degree burns. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies during the takeoff roll. Although she had previously practiced soft-field takeoffs on paved runways, she had no experience with actual soft-field takeoffs. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that she was attempting to take off from a cow pasture. She landed the airplane in the pasture the previous day due to a loss of engine power. She reported that the loss of power was due to debris in the right fuel tank, which was subsequently removed by a mechanic. She measured the length of the field and found it "shorter than our typical requirement," but elected to continue with the flight due to the downhill slope of the field. The owner of the pasture mowed a path for the takeoff and the pilot and her husband inspected the takeoff area for rocks and other obstructions. She also determined a "no-go" point on the ground in case the airplane did not accelerate adequately. She removed all unnecessary items from the airplane and prepared for takeoff. During the takeoff roll, the airplane did not accelerate as expected. She aborted the takeoff past the designated no-go point and was unable to stop the airplane before it collided with a fence post. The airplane caught fire as the pilot was exiting the cockpit. Structural damage to the left wing and fuselage resulted. The pilot received second-degree burns. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies during the takeoff roll. Although she had previously practiced soft-field takeoffs on paved runways, she had no experience with actual soft-field takeoffs. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N37148](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N37148-2018-01-23), registration cancelled 2018-01-23, S/N WA-188, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH 77 - Registry model: [Beech 77](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-77) (registry code 1153007) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: WA-188 - Airframe hours: 6225 - Engines: LYCOMING 0-235 SERIES 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Thorburn-Gundlach David - Registered owner: Thorburn-Gundlach David - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 26, 2011, 23 hours before - Departed: Jonesville, VA - Destination: OVG, Rose Hill, VA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 20, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 113 total, 60 in this make and model, 75 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: 1A6, 25 nm away ## 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 20110704014759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110704014759A), Jul 4, 2011: Beech 77, Jonesville, VA, Substantial damage. 07/04/2011 @ 1459 Locallee county, VA: N37148, a Beech 77 aircraft attempted takeoff from a soft short field, aborted, struck a fence post, collapsed the nose… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 23, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81004. 2.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 873 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40351848&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1: Lower fuselage and landing gear damage (FAA digital photo) (item 2, .PDF, 963 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40351849&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20Lower%20fuselage%20and%20landing%20gear%20damage%20(FAA%20digital%20photo)-Master.PDF - Photo 2: Fire damage to fuselage and cockpit (FAA digital photo) (item 3, .PDF, 683 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40351851&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%3A%20Fire%20damage%20to%20fuselage%20and%20cockpit%20(FAA%20digital%20photo)-Master.PDF 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.