NTSB Factual Report

On March 25, 2003, about 1630 eastern standard time, a Beech A36, N364JK, registered to and operated by Skyway Aviation Co. Inc., as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, overran the runway during an aborted takeoff on a grass strip in Naples, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The private-rated pilot and three passengers were not injured, and the airplane incurred substantial damage. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The pilot stated that he was taking off from a grass strip, and the airplane was loaded with himself and three passengers, and it appeared to be heavy and was not accelerating sufficiently. He said that during the last quarter length of the grass strip he retarded the throttle and attempted to abort the takeoff and the airplane overran the grass strip, into a farmer's field. He said the field had pepper and sugar cane plants, and the right wing collided with the sugar cane plants and was damaged. Prior to the accident he said there had been no mechanical failure or malfunction to the airplane or its systems.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's improper preflight planning and delay in aborting the takeoff which resulted in the airplane overrunning the runway and incurring damage.