Aviation Accident Summary ATL99LA075

WILLIAMSTON, NC, USA

Aircraft #1

N31291

Beech 36

Analysis

The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll he experienced a wind gust, and the left wing came up. The pilot elected to abort the takeoff. As the airplane settled back on the runway, it bounced, and veered off the left side of runway 3. No mechanical problems with the airplane were reported by the pilot. A review of existing weather data disclosed that the prevailing winds were 300 degrees at 9 knots. Other sources reported that the winds were out of the southwest at 10 knots. Examination of the pilot's certification data revealed that his medical certificate had expired.

Factual Information

On April 26, 1999, at 0926 eastern daylight time, a Beech 36, N31291, veered off the left side of runway 3 and collided with the ground during an attempted takeoff from the Martin County Airport in Williamston, North Carolina. The personal flight was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The private pilot and his three passengers were not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight originated in Williamston, North Carolina, at 0924. The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll, he experienced a wind gust, and the left wing came up. The pilot elected to abort the takeoff. As the airplane settled back on the runway, it bounced, and veered off the left side of the runway. No mechanical problems with the airplane were reported by the pilot. A review of existing weather data disclosed that the prevailing winds were 300 degrees at nine knots. Other sources reported that the winds were out of the southwest at ten knots. Examination of the pilot's certification data revealed that his medical certificate had expired.

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's inadequate evaluation of winds that resulted in the loss of directional control during an attempted takeoff with a tailwind. A factor was the tailwind condition.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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