Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's inadequate preflight planning for the high density altitude departure and the delay in aborting the takeoff roll, with insufficient runway remaining, resulting in a collision with trees
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot was departing on a return cross country flight with three passengers, baggage and full fuel. During the takeoff roll, just beyond the half way point of the 1930 foot runway, the pilot was unsure that the airplane would clear trees at the end of the runway. Approximately three quarters of way down the runway, the pilot pulled off the power and aborted the takeoff. The airplane overran the departure end of the runway and impacted trees. The airport elevation was 1040 feet above mean sea level and the outside air temperature was approximately 90 degrees fahrenheit. According to the pilot operating handbook the distance required for this takeoff to clear a 50 foot obstacle was approximately 1900 feet
Source record
Factual narrative
On Monday, June 28, 1993, at about 1230 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA 32 260, N3490W, owned and piloted by Thomas Worthington, of Furlong, Pennsylvania, overran the end of the runway during an aborted takeoff from the Spencer Airport, Spencer, Massachusetts. The airplane was substantially damaged. The pilot and two passengers were not injured, a third passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A flight plan had not been filed for the flight operating under 14 CFR 91. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector, the pilot reported that during the takeoff roll, the airplane had only accelerated to approximately 50 miles per hour, after using half of the 1,950 foot runway. The pilot was unsure that the airplane could clear trees at the end of the runway and elected to abort the takeoff. The airplane overran the end of the runway, decelerated in light brush and impacted heavy brush. The airplane was departing with four occupants, full fuel and several pieces of luggage. The airport elevation was 1050 feet above mean sea level and the outside air temperature was approximately 90 degrees Fahrenheit. -