Boeing A75N1(PT17) N55175

Summary

On 13 June 2003 at about 23:15 local time, a Boeing A75N1(PT17) registered N55175, operated by Worden L. McCalum, was involved in an accident near Sutton, West Virginia, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

13 June 2003 at 23:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Sutton, West Virginia, United States

Nearest airport

Braxon County (48I)

Coordinates

38.6869, -80.6517

Aircraft

Boeing A75N1(PT17)

Registration

N55175

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Worden L. McCalum

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Braxton County → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

IAD03CA057

2 people had minor injuries.

The pilot's failure to abort the takeoff in a timely manner. Factors included the high density altitude conditions, and the pilot's lack of familiarity with the airplane's high density altitude performance characteristics.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he was concerned with the field elevation, airplane weight, heat, and humidity before the flight. During the takeoff roll, the airplane had a slower acceleration and longer takeoff roll than normal. The pilot considered aborting the takeoff twice, but was concerned that there was not enough available runway to land, and felt that he would be able to out climb the terrain located at the end of the runway. After bouncing twice on the runway, the airplane began to climb in ground effect, about 100 feet per minute. When the pilot realized that he would not clear the terrain, he lowered the nose in an attempt to gain airspeed. He located an area of lower terrain, made a shallow right turn, and attempted to fly through the area; however, the airplane sank into the trees and rolled. The pilot stated that the engine sounded as if it was producing full power, and that he was unfamiliar with the airplane's high density altitude performance capabilities.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.