Beech 35-A33 N334Z accident near Gardner, Kansas

Probable cause

The pilot's delay in aborting the takeoff when the airplane was not accelerating as expected. Contributing to the accident was a wind shift during takeoff.

NTSB analysis

After an uneventful local flight, the pilot landed and refueled the airplane. The pilot planned to demonstrate a soft field takeoff, departing to the south on the 3,237-foot-long grass runway. The pilot stated that when the airplane lifted off, he leveled it to accelerate in ground effect; however, the airplane did not accelerate as he expected. As the airplane continued along the runway, the pilot realized that the airplane was not going to make it over a fence near the departure end of the runway. The airplane collided with the fence and came to rest in a pasture, resulting in substantial damage to wings. Examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any evidence of mechanical malfunction or failure that could explain the pilot's report of diminished performance during takeoff. Additionally, the pilot reported that the airplane was operating normally during the earlier flight and during preflight engine run-up just before takeoff. The pilot reported that the wind was variable out of the east at 8-10 knots. An automated weather observation recorded 3 miles from the accident site, reported the wind from 120 degrees at 6 knots at the time of the accident. The airport manager reported that the wind had been out of the south just before the accident, but after he was notified of the accident he checked the windsock again and it showed wind from the north-northeast.

Based on the available wind information and the pilot's report of diminished performance during takeoff, it is likely that the airplane encountered a wind shift to a tailwind during the takeoff roll. The pilot stated that he should have aborted the takeoff earlier.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN12LA373 for the full record.