NTSB Factual Report

On June 23, 2001, about 1230 Alaska daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140 airplane, N9581W, sustained substantial damage during an aborted takeoff from a tidal area, about eight miles east of Haines, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area personal flight when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by the pilot. The private certificated pilot, and the two passengers, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.

During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on June 23, the pilot reported that he was taking off to the south from a soft area of tidal beach. Following a soft-field takeoff, the pilot said he allowed the airplane to climb to about 20 feet above the ground, and then held the airplane in ground effect to build airspeed. He said the airplane then encountered a downdraft, and settled onto the ground. The pilot aborted the takeoff, pulled the engine power to idle, raised the flaps, and applied maximum braking. The airplane skidded about 70 yards, and went over a small berm at the end of the takeoff area. The main landing gear struck a log, and the airplane came to rest against a small hill. The pilot said the right main landing gear was torn out of the wing, and the left main landing gear scissor was broken, allowing the left main gear strut to fall out of its housing. The leading edge of the right wing, and the right flap were also damaged.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff. Factors in the accident were soft terrain, and the pilot's delay in aborting the takeoff.