Beechcraft A36 N26774

Summary

On 12 August 1995 at about 19:30 local time, a Beechcraft A36 registered N26774, operated by Ralph D. Golden, was involved in an accident near McKenzie, Tennessee, United States. 5 people were on board and 2 were seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

12 August 1995 at 19:30

Classification

Accident

Location

McKenzie, Tennessee, United States

Nearest airport

Private (NONE)

Coordinates

36.1290, -88.5108

Aircraft

Beechcraft A36

Registration

N26774

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Ralph D. Golden

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ATL95LA156

2 people were seriously injured.

The pilot's failure to comply with the performance data for the aircraft in his attempt to takeoff, downwind, from the short sod runway, with high density altitude, and with the aircraft weight in excess of the maximum gross weight allowed.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING A TAKEOFF TO THE NORTH ON THE 2,200 FOOT SOD AIRSTRIP. THE WIND WAS REPORTED TO BE FROM 150 DEGREES AT 5 KNOTS, AND THE TEMPERATURE WAS 33 DEGREES CELSIUS. THE DENSITY ALTITUDE AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WAS 2,822 FEET. THE AIRCRAFT WEIGHT WAS ESTIMATED TO BE 122 POUNDS OVER THE MAXIMUM GROSS TAKEOFF WEIGHT FOR THE AIRCRAFT. THE AIRCRAFT PILOT'S OPERATING HANDBOOK SHOWED THE MINIMUM DISTANCE REQUIRED TO CLEAR A 50 FOOT OBSTACLE FOR THESE CONDITIONS TO BE IN EXCESS OF 3,000 FEET. WITNESSES STATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT NEVER CLIMBED OVER 12 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND AFTER LIFTOFF. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE TREES AT THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.