Probable cause
The pilot's delayed action to abort the takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight planning and a high density altitude.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that during takeoff from a 1,200-foot long turf airstrip, the airplane accelerated beyond a speed he anticipated for rotation and remained on the ground. Despite the pilot's attempt to abort the takeoff and stop the airplane, it overran the departure end of the runway and struck multiple trees before it came to rest upright. The fuselage and both wings were substantially damaged. The pilot stated that at the time of the accident, it was unseasonably warm and the degradation of the airplane's performance was significantly more than he had anticipated. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR14CA401 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- May 23, 2014
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Roundup, Montana
- Nearest airport
- Private Airstrip (None)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA 22
- N-number
- N3460A
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1953
- 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.