Event WPR10CA405

Factual narrative

The pilot of the turbocharged airplane was executing a takeoff from a 1,900 foot long grass/turf back country airstrip. The surface of the airstrip was rough, with occasional holes and soft spots, and areas of vegetation. The density altitude calculated by the pilot was 5,495 feet. Although he had determined that the airplane should be able to successfully complete the takeoff, during the later part of the takeoff roll the pilot became uncomfortable with the airplane's rate of acceleration, and he therefore elected to abort the takeoff. After making the decision to abort the takeoff, the pilot was unable to stop the airplane before it went off the end of the runway, rolled down a bank, and nosed over onto its back, whereupon it sustained substantial damage to both its wings and its fuselage. According to the pilot, there was no indication of any engine or flight control anomalies. In the Operator Safety Recommendation section of the NTSB form 6120.1, the pilot stated, "A decision to abort earlier may have prevented the roll off the end of the runway." The pilot of the turbocharged airplane was executing a takeoff from a 1,900-foot-long grass/turf back country airstrip. The surface of the airstrip was rough, with occasional holes and soft spots, and areas of vegetation. The density altitude calculated by the pilot was 5,495 feet. Although he had determined that the airplane should be able to successfully complete the takeoff, during the latter part of the takeoff roll the pilot became uncomfortable with the airplane's rate of acceleration, and he therefore elected to abort the takeoff. After making the decision to abort the takeoff, the pilot was unable to stop the airplane before it went off the end of the runway, rolled down a bank, and nosed over onto its back, whereupon it sustained substantial damage to both its wings and its fuselage. According to the pilot, there was no indication of any engine or flight control anomalies. In the Operator Safety Recommendation section of the NTSB form 6120.1, the pilot stated, "A decision to abort earlier may have prevented the roll off the end of the runway." Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

Hierarchical cause / factor breakdown from the FAA bulk avdata database. Each finding tagged C (Cause) or F (Factor).

• C Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Delayed action-Pilot - C
• — Environmental issues-Physical environment-Terrain-Rough terrain-Contributed to outcome
• — Environmental issues-Physical environment-Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surfa-Soft-Contributed to outcome
• — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Temp/humidity/pressure-High density altitude-Contributed to outcome