# NTSB NYC03LA034: Socata TB 9, N136ER, Mount Union, PA, December 31, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 31, 2002, 12:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Mount Union, PA - Coordinates: 40.318054, -77.876113 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3181&lon=-77.8761&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 25, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO-13 - NTSB case key (mKey): 56266 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC03LA034 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56266/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC03LA034 ## Probable cause The pilot's delay in aborting the takeoff. A factor was the soft runway. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Overrun, takeoff - aborted - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - soft (contributing factor) - aborted takeoff - delayed, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted - terrain condition - ditch ## Analysis The pilot stated that he was departing on runway 22, a 3,120-foot long, 80-foot wide, gravel and turf runway. The runway was "soft and soupy," and the airplane did not accelerate properly. The pilot was able to lift two of the landing gear off the runway, but the airplane would not become airborne. The pilot further stated that the accident airplane usually became airborne after a ground roll of about 500 feet, on a paved runway with only one person on board. During the accident takeoff, the wheels didn't begin to break ground until approximately 1,000 beyond the approach end of the runway. The pilot decided to abort the takeoff about 1,600 feet beyond the approach end of the runway. However, the airplane skid on the soft ground, overran the runway at a speed of approximately 35-45 knots and came to rest inverted in a ditch. The pilot added that there were no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. ## Factual narrative On December 31, 2002, about 1200 eastern standard time, a Socata TB 9, N136ER, was substantially damaged during an overrun, following an aborted takeoff at Huntingdon County Airport (MUU), Mount Union, Pennsylvania. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual metrological conditions prevailed for the planned flight to York Airport, York, Pennsylvania. No flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot reported that he was departing on runway 22 at MUU. Runway 22 was 3,120 feet long, 80 feet wide, and consisted of gravel and turf. The pilot stated that during the takeoff roll, the runway was "soft and soupy," and the airplane did not accelerate properly. He was able to lift the nose gear and one of the main gears off the ground, but the airplane would not become airborne. The pilot then aborted the takeoff, the airplane overran the runway, and came to rest inverted in a ditch. The pilot added that he did not experience any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. The pilot further stated that the accident airplane usually became airborne after a ground roll of about 500 feet, on a paved runway with only one person on board. During the accident takeoff, the wheels didn't begin to break ground until approximately 1,000 feet beyond the approach end of the runway. The pilot added that about 1,600 feet beyond the approach end of the runway, he decided to abort the takeoff. However, the airplane skid on the soft ground, and overran the runway at a speed of approximately 35-45 knots. The pilot reported a total flight experience of approximately 100 hours; of which, about 85 hours were in the same make and model as the accident airplane. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed damage to both wings, the nose gear, and the firewall. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N136ER](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N136ER-2013-09-27), registration cancelled 2013-09-27, S/N 1526 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SOCATA TB 9 - Registry model: [Socata TB 9 TAMPICO](https://openairdocs.org/model/socata-tb-9-tampico) (registry code 8680694) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1526 - Airframe hours: 6961 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Steven Nagorny - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, December 2, 2002, 12 hours before - Departed: MUU, Mount Union, PA - Destination: THV, York, PA - Airport: MUU, Huntington County Airport, runway 22, 3,120 × 80 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 18; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review November 1, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 100 total, 85 in this make and model, 45 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 41 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: AOO, 15 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 20021231037639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20021231037639A), Dec 31, 2002: Socata TB9, Mount Union, PA, Substantial damage. (-23) On December 31, 2002, about 1200 EST, a Socata TB-9, N136ER, was substantially damaged during an overrun, following an aborted take-off at Huntingdon… 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.