Beechcraft D-45 (T-34B) N93013

Summary

On 14 April 2011 at about 12:20 local time, a Beechcraft D-45 (T-34B) registered N93013 was involved in an accident near Linden, North Carolina, United States. 2 people were 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

14 April 2011 at 12:20

Classification

Accident

Location

Linden, North Carolina, United States

Nearest airport

Hodgen Field

Coordinates

35.2267, -78.7978

Aircraft

Beechcraft D-45 (T-34B)

Registration

N93013

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Linden → Sanford

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA11LA249

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's inadequate takeoff performance planning and procedures, which resulted in an attempted takeoff on a grass runway that was not long enough for the given conditions and airplane configuration.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot conducted a preflight inspection and a pre-takeoff engine run-up check with no discrepancies noted. He positioned the airplane for takeoff at the end of the grass strip in order to use all of the available runway. The pilot advanced the power and the target rpm was noted as the airplane rolled down the grass strip. The pilot recalled that he rotated about 50 to 60 knots and was about two-thirds of the way down the runway when the airplane climbed about 10 to 12 feet over the runway. The landing gear doors closed and the airplane reached an altitude of about 50 feet; however, both the pilot and passenger reported that the airplane felt like it was not gaining speed or altitude. The airplane started to descend and shortly thereafter impacted a tree stump, tree debris, and the ground. The wreckage examination revealed that the flaps were in the full up position at the time of impact. A review of the airplane’s onboard flight manual, Section III, Normal Procedures, advises pilots that, for a minimum run takeoff, they should “use 75 percent of flaps.” The manual also advises pilots on proper technique, what variables to consider, and instructs them to check performance graph charts for proper takeoff settings and indications. The manual’s performance charts make reference to hard-surface runways but contain no reference to soft (grass strip) field takeoff calculations. The pilot did not mention having performed any calculations for the grass strip prior to the takeoff.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.