WPR18LA275

Factual narrative

On September 26, 2018, about 1650 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-32RT-300T Lance, N24BA, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Malad, Idaho. The private pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 ferry flight. The ferry flight was originating from Malad City Airport, (MLD) Malad, Idaho, with a planned destination of Great Falls International Airport (GTF), Great Falls, Montana. The pilot reported that he did not realize that he entered the runway at the taxiway intersection about halfway down the runway. During the takeoff ground roll, the airplane’s speed was about 60 knots (below rotation speed) when he realized that the end of the runway was approaching, and he needed to either lift off or abort the takeoff. The pilot pulled up to takeoff, but he could hear the stall warning horn and the airplane was not lifting off the runway. The pilot subsequently applied the brakes to try and stop, however there was not enough runway remaining and the airplane continued off the end of the runway, over a road, and collided into a drainage ditch. The wings and fuselage were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that he did not realize that he entered the runway at the taxiway intersection about halfway down the 5,000-ft-long runway. During the takeoff ground roll, the airplane’s speed was about 60 knots (below rotation speed) when he realized that the end of the runway was approaching, and he needed to either lift off or abort the takeoff. The pilot attempted to continue the takeoff, but the airplane would not lift off. The pilot subsequently applied the brakes to try and stop, however there was not enough runway remaining and the airplane continued off the end of the runway, over a road, and struck a drainage ditch. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. It is likely that if the pilot had utilized the full available runway for the takeoff, or had aborted the takeoff sooner, the runway excursion would not have occurred. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

• — Personnel issues-Action/decision-Info processing/decision-Decision making/judgment-Pilot
• — Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Aircraft capability-Takeoff distance-Not attained/maintained