Piper PA-28-161 N47899 accident near Hudson Oaks, Texas

Probable cause

The pilot’s loss of directional control during the rejected takeoff, which resulted in a runway excursion. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to abort the takeoff after the airplane had accelerated above its normal rotation speed. Also contributing to the accident was the flight school’s non-standard engine break-in takeoff procedure.

NTSB analysis

The pilot stated that the purpose of the flight was to conduct the break-in of a newly installed engine and that this was his first engine break-in flight. Before departure, the pilot received a briefing from the chief flight instructor regarding the engine break-in procedures outlined in the school’s Engine Break-In Checklist.

The pilot stated that during the takeoff roll, about 900 ft down the runway, he realized that the throttle was not in the takeoff position and advanced it full forward. About halfway down the runway, he evaluated that he would not reach his intended rotation speed of 75 knots and aborted the takeoff. During the aborted takeoff, at 60 knots, the airplane briefly became airborne before settling back onto the runway. The airplane continued decelerating, but departed the runway surface near the runway 36 hold-short line and came to rest in a ditch.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine mount. The pilot reported that there were no pre-accident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

The chief pilot and the owner/operator reported that the operator's engine break-in procedures required pilots to rotate at 75 knots and establish a shallow climb for better engine cooling. A review of the pilot operating handbook shows that a normal takeoff rotation speed is about 55 knots. A review of the Lycoming Service Instruction No. 1427C, Reciprocating Engine Break-In and Oil Consumption, directs operators to conduct a full-power takeoff in accordance with the applicable POH and does not specify an increased rotation speed for engine break-in operations.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN26LA304 for the full record.