Piper PA-30 N90TC

Summary

On 29 July 2002 at about 20:30 local time, a Piper PA-30 registered N90TC, operated by Kenneth E. Stout, was involved in an accident near Abilene, Kansas, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

29 July 2002 at 20:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Abilene, Kansas, United States

Nearest airport

Abilene Municipal (K78)

Coordinates

38.9039, -97.2358

Aircraft

Piper PA-30

Registration

N90TC

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Kenneth E. Stout

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Abilene → Hartington

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CHI02LA219

Nobody was injured.

The pilot failed to achieve clearance over the trees and wires. Factors associated with the accident were the pilot failed to use all available runway, a downwind takeoff was performed, the tailwind, trees, and wires.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The airplane collided with trees and wires shortly after takeoff from runway 35, 4,100 feet long. According to the pilot he originally departed the airport on runway 17, then returned due to an unlatched door. The landing was made on runway 35. After touching down, the pilot stopped the airplane on the runway and relatched the door. He then continued the takeoff from where he had stopped on the runway. The takeoff was made to the north with approximately 3,000 feet of runway remaining. The pilot stated the airplane became airborne with approximately 1,000 feet of runway remaining. The pilot reported that he retracted the gear right after takeoff and he stayed in ground effect trying to gain airspeed. The airplane contacted trees and wires which were located about 250 yards off the departure end of the runway. The wires that there contacted were approximately 14 feet above the ground. Another set of wires above those contacted were at a height of about 20 feet above the ground. The higher wires were not damaged. The pilot reported that he was aware of the wires. One witness reported the airplane became airborne approximately 30 feet before the end of the runway. The closest weather reporting station, 21 miles west of the accident site, reported wind from 220 degrees at 10 knots. This observation was taken 23 minutes after the accident.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.