NTSB Factual Report

On June 1, 2003, about 1900 central daylight time, a Cessna 152, N68778, operated by St. Charles Flying Service as a rental airplane, sustained substantial damage during an aborted takeoff when it departed the end of runway 9 (1,800 feet by 100 feet, turf) and impacted a fence at Winter Field Airport, Owensville, Missouri. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The private pilot and his passenger reported no injuries. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was not operating on a flight plan. The flight was originating at the time of the accident with an intended destination of St. Charles Municipal Airport (3SQ), St. Charles, Missouri.

The pilot reported he taxied the airplane onto the runway centerline and applied full power to the airplane's engine while holding the brakes. The pilot noted he released the brakes and the airplane began to roll. The pilot stated, "Approximately 1/2 to 3/4 the runway was used and the decision was made that the airplane would not lift-off and climb." The pilot reported he reduced engine power to idle and applied brakes. The pilot noted the airplane had not stopped by the end of the runway and impacted a barbwire fence and a ditch.

The pilot reported he performed a weight and balance calculation and a takeoff performance calculation prior to takeoff on the accident flight. The pilot noted the airplane's loaded weight and center of gravity were within the performance limitations of the airplane. The pilot stated he used 10 degrees of flaps on takeoff and calculated his takeoff distance to be 950 feet.

The airplanes weight and balance was calculated using information obtained from the pilot. The airplane's empty weight was reported as 1,155 pounds with a moment-arm of 29.6 inches. The pilot indicated his weight as 220 pounds and his passengers weight as 180 pounds. The pilot noted the airplane contained 14 gallons, or 84 pounds, of fuel. The airplane's total weight at the time of the accident flight was calculated to be 1,639 pounds with a moment of 53,618 inches per pound. The center of gravity was calculated to be 32.7 inches aft of the datum line. The maximum certificated gross weight for the airplane was 1,670 pounds. The forward center of gravity limitation was 31.0 inches aft of the datum line and the aft center of gravity limitation was 36.5 inches aft of the datum line.

The airplane's takeoff performance was calculated using the pilots operating handbook. The ground roll distance for takeoff was calculated to be about 825 feet and the take-off distance over a 50-foot obstacle was calculated to be 1,530 feet with a temperature of 19 degrees Celsius and a pressure altitude of 898 feet.

The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane or the airplane's engine prior to the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilots delayed attempt to perform an aborted takeoff and subsequent overrun. Contributing factors to the accident were the fence and the ditch.