Probable cause
The pilot's delayed decision to abort a takeoff, which resulted in a runway excursion.
NTSB analysis
According to the pilot, during the takeoff roll and initial climb, he thought he did not have enough airspeed to climb over a hill that was in the distance. He aborted the takeoff, landed the airplane, and attempted to stop the airplane before the end of the 2,400 foot-long runway. The airplane continued off of the departure end of the runway and collided with a ditch. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that it sustained substantial damage to both wings and the firewall. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA12CA516 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Aug 19, 2012
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- West Liberty, Kentucky
- Nearest airport
- West Liberty Airport (9I3)
- Highest injury
- Serious
- Serious injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Beech A23-19
- N-number
- N4746J
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.