# NTSB MIA94LA037: Piper PA-46-301P, N4391C, Fort Myers, FL, December 7, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 7, 1993, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Fort Myers, FL
- Coordinates: 26.599145, -82.220634 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.5991&lon=-82.2206&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 13, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37469
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA94LA037
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37469/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA94LA037

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF. A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS THE SOFT CONDITION OF THE RUNWAY SURFACE.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS ATTEMPTING A TAKEOFF ON A 2,700 FOOT SOD RUNWAY AND HIT A SOFT SPOT WHICH DECREASED HIS GROUNDSPEED BY 15 TO 20 MILES PER HOUR. HE CONTINUED THE TAKEOFF ATTEMPT AND STRUCK TREES AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE FELL TO THE GROUND AND BURST INTO FLAMES.

## Factual narrative

On December 7, 1993, about 1530, eastern standard time, N4391C, a Piper PA-46-301P, registered to Daniel G. Maloney crashed on takeoff attempt at Fort Myers, Florida, while initiating a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was destroyed and the pilot and four passengers reported minor injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The pilot stated that he was attempting to take off on a 2,700-foot sod runway and hit a soft spot about half way on the takeoff roll. He stated he did not abort the takeoff but continued. As the airplane lifted off, both wings hit trees and the airplane fell to the ground and burst into flames. The pilot and all the passengers evacuated the airplane immediately without receiving thermal injuries.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4391C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4391C-2012-12-07), registration cancelled 2012-12-07, S/N 46-8508053, built 1985 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-46-301P
- Registry model: [Piper PA-46-310P](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-46-310p) (registry code 7104605) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 46-8508053
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TIO-520-EB 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Wyatt, James F.
- Registered owner: Maloney, Daniel G.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: TMB, MIAMI, FL
- Airport: Morning Star, runway 9, 2,675 × 150 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,700 total, 125 in this make and model, 3,600 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FMY

## 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 19931207046339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19931207046339A), Dec 7, 1993: Piper PA46310P, Ft Myers, FL, Destroyed. Tried to depart short sod runway. Slowed by soft spots lifted late and hit trees. Failed timely abort.

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.

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