CEN18LA383

The pilot's decision to attempt to take off in an overweight airplane in high density altitude conditions, which resulted in the airplane’s inability to climb, an aborted takeoff, and a subsequent runway excursion.

The pilot and five passengers were departing the airport on an international cross-country flight. The pilot attempted an intersection takeoff in high density altitude conditions over the airplane's maximum gross weight. The airplane would not become airborne, so the pilot back taxied and attempted to take off on the full length of another runway. The airplane lifted off but was not climbing, so the pilot lowered the nose and the airplane hit the runway hard. The airplane veered right and exited the runway surface, which resulted in substantial damage to the wings. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane or engine that would have precluded normal operation and that he attempted the takeoff in an overweight airplane at a high density altitude. Calculations showed that the airplane's maximum gross takeoff weight was exceeded by at least 300 lbs, and the density altitude was about 6,900 ft.

On August 31, 2018, about 1700 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA46-350P airplane, N747DA, registered to a private individual, sustained substantial damage during an aborted takeoff from the Dona Ana International Jetport (DNA), Santa Teresa, New Mexico. All 6 occupants, the private pilot and 5 passengers, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The personal cross country flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Federal Code of Regulations Part 91. The flight's intended destination was Chihuahua, Mexico. After refueling and loading the passengers and baggage, the pilot taxied to the intersection of taxiway Delta and runway 10 at DNA. With 10° of flaps and full throttle, the pilot began the takeoff on runway 10 from the intersection. The airplane did not lift off, so the pilot stopped the takeoff and back taxied to the end of the reciprocal runway (runway 28). The pilot reported that the wind was calm. With 20° of flaps and full throttle, the pilot started to takeoff, using the full length of runway 28. Approaching 60-70 knots, the airplane started to liftoff, but was not climbing. The pilot then lowered the nose toward the runway. The airplane hit the runway hard, veered to the right, and exited the runway. After the airplane came to a stop in the grass, all occupants exited. During the excursion, the left main landing gear collapsed. The top of the left wing was punctured and the right wing's leading edge was buckled and dented along the span of the front spar. The pilot reported on the National Transportation Safety Board Accident Report Form 6120 that he took off overweight and at a high density altitude. The pilot also indicated on the form that there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operations. Data from the aircraft's weight and balance sheet (dated June 8, 2008), fuel logs, and estimated pilot/passenger weights were used to calculate the airplane's takeoff weight at the time of the accident. The calculations estimated the takeoff weight to be about 4,675 lbs., without baggage. Fixed Base Operator personnel reported that a large amount of baggage was loaded onto the airplane before takeoff; however, the weight of this baggage was not known. The maximum takeoff weight for the airplane was 4,358 lbs. the density altitude was approximately 6,900 ft.