Event MIA96LA228

Factual narrative

On September 7, 1996, about 0940 eastern daylight time, a Canadair T-33, N99195, registered to an individual, collided with terrain during an aborted takeoff, at Charlotte County Airport, Punta Gorda, Florida, while on a Title 14 CFR Part 91 ferry flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft received substantial damage and the airline transport-rated pilot received minor injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated to NTSB that he was ferrying the airplane to Orlando, Florida, for an annual inspection. During the takeoff the aircraft was performing acceptably for flight. After takeoff, the aircraft began to mush and he "knew that it was losing power." He performed an emergency landing straight ahead and after the aircraft came to a stop he exited the aircraft. The pilot stated to an FAA inspector shortly after the accident that the engine developed 100 percent power during the takeoff. He did not report having a loss of engine power. He stated that after the aircraft came to rest, he exited through the broken canopy. The engine continued to run and started a fire in the marsh around the aircraft. He also stated to the FAA inspector that he did not use wing flaps for takeoff. Checklists that were found in the aircraft by an FAA inspector called for wing flaps to be set to 32 degrees for takeoff. A review of the aircraft flight manual by an FAA inspector showed that there are no performance charts for taking off with the wing flaps retracted. (See attached FAA inspector statement and checklists) After takeoff, the aircraft began to mush and would not accelerate. The pilot landed straight ahead in a field. After the aircraft came to rest, the pilot exited the aircraft, and the engine continued to run, causing a fire in the field. The pilot reported to an FAA inspector that the engine developed 100 percent power for takeoff and that he did not use wing flaps for takeoff. The checklist, which was found in the aircraft, required that wing flaps be set to 32 degrees for takeoff. A review of the aircraft flight manual showed that there were no performance charts for taking off with the wing flaps retracted. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12