Probable cause
The student pilot’s decision to abort the takeoff and land on the runway without sufficient runway remaining, which resulted in a runway overrun.
NTSB analysis
The student pilot stated that this was her second solo flight. During takeoff, the airplane lifted off the runway but she felt it was not accelerating like it should and she elected to abort the takeoff. She landed the airplane on the remaining portion of runway, however it continued off the departure end, down an embankment, and came to rest in some bushes. The leading edges of the wings, fuselage, and the stabilator were all substantially damaged. 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 ERA23LA193 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Apr 10, 2023
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- West Mifflin, Pennsylvania
- Nearest airport
- Allegheny County (AGC)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA-28-181
- N-number
- N476TA
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2020
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Instructional
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.