NYC94LA121

During an aborted takeoff, the airplane overran the 4451 foot long runway, went down a hill, and struck a fence. According to the pilot, 'during the takeoff roll, the indicated airspeed needle climbed to approximately 60 knots, but then would go no further...my attempts to dislodge it by tapping on the face of the gauge were futile...I pulled back the throttles and applied full brakes...' The pilot reported that based on the existing conditions 'the airplane can accelerate from rest to rotation speed and back to rest in less than 3500 feet.' The examination of the airplane revealed the pitot tube was internally obstructed with an insect and mud.

On July 12, 1994 at 0916 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA- 60-700P, N323CB, owned and operated by Clifford Botway, Inc., of New York, New York, overran the runway during an aborted takeoff, at Westchester County Airport, White Plains, New York. The airplane was destroyed by fire. One passenger received minor injuries. The pilot and 3 passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan had been filed for the business flight operating under 14 CFR Part 91.

In the NTSB Accident Report, the pilot stated:

...during the take-off roll, the indicated air speed needle climbed to approximately 60 knots, but then would go no further...my attempts to dislodge it by tapping on the face of the gauge were futile...I pulled back the throttles and applied full brakes....

When interviewed after the accident, the pilot reported when the airplane was 2/3 to 3/4 of the way down the runway, he aborted the takeoff. The airplane overran the departure end of the runway, and became momentarily airborne as the terrain sloped down. When the airplane struck the ground, the landing gear was driven up through the wings, and then the airplane slid into a chain link fence, where it stopped. Fire immediately appeared in both engines as the occupants evacuated the airplane through the left forward door.

Skid marks were measured on the runway for a distance of 637 feet prior to the end of the runway. The airplane traveled an additional 221 feet beyond the end of the runway, prior to coming to rest.

According to the Airport Facility Directory, runway 29 was 4451 feet long, and 150 feet wide. The runway surface was grooved concrete and was dry.

Post accident investigation was conducted under the direction of the NTSB and FAA, by Empire Avionics, Inc. According to the report from Empire Avionics, Inc.:

Checked Pitot system. Found that Pitot system was blocked. Removed Pitot mast and hooked directly to line. Pitot system now operates normally. Checked pitot tube, found clogged. Blew out Pitot mast with compressed air. Found Mud and Bug was in tube....

The pitot tube was located on the top of the vertical stabilizer.

The airplane had been modified with larger engines. The performance charts were not changed. The performance equaled or was better than shown on the charts. According to the ACCELERATE/STOP chart for 20 degrees of flaps, the airplane would require 3625 feet. The FAA reported the wing flaps were extended approximately 20 degrees.