Primary finding
Probable cause
the pilot's inadequate preflight planning and preparation. A factor in the accident was the downdraft near the end of the runway.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot used runway 13 for takeoff. The runway is 1400 feet long and has a tree line across the departure end. The wind was from 180 degrees at 15 to 20 knots. The pilot stated the downdraft from the wind across the tree line prevented a normal rate of climb. The pilot made a turn to the left to avoid the tree line, and crashed in a field next to the runway. The pilot wrote in his report to the NTSB that the accident could have been prevented if he had not attempted to takeoff under the existing [wind] conditions.
Source record
Factual narrative
On August 8, 1993, at 1220 central daylight time, a Piper J-2, NC17837, crashed on takeoff from a private airstrip near Warrensburg, Missouri. The airplane received substantial damage. The commercial pilot and the passenger aboard the airplane were not injured. The intended destination for the personal flight was Skyhaven Airport, Warrensburg. No flight plan was filed, and visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. The pilot utilized runway 13 for takeoff. The wind was 180 degrees at 15 knots with gusts to 20 knots. There is a tree line near the departure end of the runway. The pilot reported the downdraft coming over the tree line prevented a normal climbout. He said he made a left turn to avoid the trees. The airplane crashed in a field next to the runway. The pilot wrote in his report to the NTSB that the accident could have been avoided if he had not attempted to takeoff under the existing [wind] conditions. -