MIA96LA055

Factual narrative

On December 3, 1995, about 1615 eastern standard time a Piper PA-46, N8888X, registered to a private owner crashed during takeoff from the Fort Myers Page Field Airport, Fort Myers, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and an IFR flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The instrument-rated private pilot and one passenger were not injured and the airplane was substantially damaged. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that during the takeoff roll, he applied normal right rudder and the airplane did not respond. He aborted the takeoff and the airplane went into the grass on the left side of the runway. The nose gear impacted a small ditch and collapsed. The propeller strike and cowling damage were verified, and no other damages were verified by the pilot. Further examination of the airplane by an airframe and power plant mechanic revealed damages to the nose gear, propeller, gear doors, lower cowl, firewall, and the forward section of the fuselage. Initially this case was reported as an incident, but was subsequently classified as an accident based upon inspection and damage. THE PILOT STATED THAT DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL HE APPLIED NORMAL RIGHT RUDDER TO COMPENSATE FOR ENGINE TORQUE. THE AIRPLANE DID NOT RESPOND TO THE PILOT INPUT AND DRIFTED TO THE LEFT. HE ABORTED THE TAKEOFF AND THE AIRPLANE WENT ONTO THE GRASS AT THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE THEN COLLIDED WITH A SMALL DITCH AND THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12