Piper PA-28-140 N4149J accident near Elko, Nevada

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to ensure adequate airplane performance before taking off from a significantly shorter runway than originally planned for.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that the density altitude conditions were increasing but were within takeoff performance limits. During taxi to his planned departure runway, he was informed that the runway was closed, so he chose to depart from a different runway about 4,400 ft shorter than originally planned for. During takeoff the airplane did not have the performance necessary to attain rotation speed before the end of the runway, but the pilot did not abort the takeoff. He rotated the airplane 5-10 knots too slow and was unable to clear a fence off the departure end of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot reported there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would preclude normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR23LA282 for the full record.