Piper PA-32-260
Grand Canyon, AZ — March 30, 2008
Event Information
| Date | March 30, 2008 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | LAX08CA111 |
| Event ID | 20080501X00578 |
| Location | Grand Canyon, AZ |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 35.65055, -112.14806 |
| Airport | Valle Airport |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | Piper |
| Model | PA-32-260 |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 4 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions and delay in aborting the takeoff. Contributing to the accident were wind gusts and a crosswind.
Full Narrative
After fueling the airplane, a normal engine start was accomplished and the pilot announced on Unicom that he was taxiing to runway 19 for engine run up. Prior to takeoff, the pilot requested a wind check, and was given 170 to 220 degrees at 20-25 knots. During the takeoff roll, the airplane drifted towards the right edge of the runway. The airplane became airborne momentarily, but settled back to the runway as it continued to accelerate. With about a quarter of the runway remaining, the pilot aborted the takeoff. During the pilot's attempts to stop the airplane, it overran the end of the runway and came to rest approximately 100 feet from the end. The left wing's spar was bent, and the wing's top skin and bottom skin were wrinkled.
The pilot had three passengers on board. The density altitude was 7,000 feet. The conditions at Grand Canyon National Park Airport, approximately 18 nautical miles north of the accident site, were wind from 210 to 240 degrees at 22 knots, gusting to 31 knots.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.