NTSB Factual Report

On April 25, 2002, at 1545 central daylight time, a Piper PA-32RT-300, N36555, owned and piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged when it impacted a hill during an aborted takeoff on runway 27 (3,195 feet by 47 feet, asphalt) at the Viburnum Airport, Viburnum, Missouri. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot and three passengers were uninjured. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The pilot stated that he used an informal short field takeoff procedure using 10 degrees of trailing edge flaps. He also stated that the airplane was 80 lbs over its maximum gross weight. After realizing the airplane had a less than expected climb rate, the pilot performed an aborted takeoff on the remainder of runway 27 in an attempt to avoid hitting a church along the climb path. The airplane's landing gear was sheared off by contact with a hill. The right main landing gear impacted the horizontal stabilizer.

According to the Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH) for the airplane, 25 degrees of flaps is the proper flap setting for a short field takeoff. The POH does not contain takeoff performance data for a takeoff with 10 degrees of flaps.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's improper short field takeoff planning and procedure. The takeoff weight above the maximum gross weight and the hill were contributing factors.