He Noticed A Sound And Vibration From The Engine, So He Aborted The Takeoff

Location: Seiling, OK Accident Number: CEN20LA321
Date & Time: 08/01/2020, 0130 CDT Registration: N9765C
Aircraft: Piper PA28R Injuries: 4 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal

On August 1, 2020, about 0130 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28R-201 airplane, N9765C, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at Seiling Airport (1S4), Seiling, Oklahoma. The pilot and three passengers were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

In a statement from the pilot, he reported that he arrived with the same three passengers earlier that day for a rodeo event. After the rodeo, they returned to the airplane about 0100 and prepared to depart. The pilot confirmed that the takeoff weight was 2,622.8 lbs (maximum takeoff weight is 2,750 lbs), and about 25 to 26 gallons of fuel onboard. He calculated that the airplane required 1,700 to 1,800 ft for takeoff from the 2,435 ft long runway and elected not to perform a short field departure.

He added that he "still made the decision to spare every inch of runway" when taxiing the airplane into position at the end of the runway.

Prior to takeoff the pilot held the brakes and applied the throttle, mixture, and propeller controls full forward. "When the engine was up to speed" he let off the brakes and began the takeoff roll. He reported that during the takeoff roll, he noticed a sound and vibration from the engine, so he aborted the takeoff. He was unable to stop the airplane and it continued off the end of the runway, over a road, and into trees.

The airplane was equipped with an Electronics International Inc. MVP-50P engine monitor, which records engine data. The unit will be downloaded, and the data analyzed. The airplane has been retained for further examination.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov