FORT MYERS, FL, USA
N4391C
PIPER PA-46-301P
THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS ATTEMPTING A TAKEOFF ON A 2,700 FOOT SOD RUNWAY AND HIT A SOFT SPOT WHICH DECREASED HIS GROUNDSPEED BY 15 TO 20 MILES PER HOUR. HE CONTINUED THE TAKEOFF ATTEMPT AND STRUCK TREES AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE FELL TO THE GROUND AND BURST INTO FLAMES.
On December 7, 1993, about 1530, eastern standard time, N4391C, a Piper PA-46-301P, registered to Daniel G. Maloney crashed on takeoff attempt at Fort Myers, Florida, while initiating a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was destroyed and the pilot and four passengers reported minor injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that he was attempting to take off on a 2,700-foot sod runway and hit a soft spot about half way on the takeoff roll. He stated he did not abort the takeoff but continued. As the airplane lifted off, both wings hit trees and the airplane fell to the ground and burst into flames. The pilot and all the passengers evacuated the airplane immediately without receiving thermal injuries.
THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF. A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS THE SOFT CONDITION OF THE RUNWAY SURFACE.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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