Colorado Aviation Accidents & Incidents

HISTORY OF FLIGHT

On November 30, 2006, at 0850 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-46-500TP, single-engine turboprop airplane, N804JH, sustained substantial damage when it impacted terrain following a loss of directional control during takeoff roll from the Steamboat Springs Airport/Bob Adams Field (SBS), Steamboat Springs, Colorado. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane was registered to Twin Landfill Corporation, Bozeman, Montana, and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for the Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The flight was originating at the time of the accident and was destined for Canon City, Colorado.

According to the pilot, during the taxi to runway 32, he noted the runway surface contained some icy and snow packed areas; however, the majority of the runway surface was exposed. The pilot stated that the partially snow covered runway was not a concern because he conducted operations with those conditions several times in the past. The pilot applied power to the engine and the takeoff roll was smooth. The pilot noted that the runway centerline was somewhat obscured by snow and the airplane drifted slightly to the right of centerline. Approximately 50 to 60 knots (1/3 of the way down the runway), the airplane "suddenly turned hard to the left and started to skid." The pilot immediately reduced power to idle and did not apply brakes or reverse. Subsequently, the airplane departed the left side of the runway. The airplane continued for approximately 300 feet in the snow-covered terrain before it came to rest. During the excursion, the nose gear collapsed and the propeller struck the terrain. The pilot reported the winds "a little above calm" at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that during previous takeoffs and landings, he felt “wobbling” from the nose gear. He added that he then tried to “keep the nose gear off the runway surface as long as possible” during takeoff and landing phases of flight.

PERSONNEL INFORMATION

The pilot, who was seated in the left front seat during the accident flight, held a commercial pilot certificate, with single-engine, multi-engine, and instrument airplane ratings. The pilot was issued a second-class medical certificate on December 28, 2005, with a limitation for corrective lenses. According to the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1), the pilot reported he had accumulated a total of 3,160 flight hours, of which 207 hours were accumulated in the same make and model as the accident airplane. The pilot's most recent flight review was accomplished on September 6, 2006, in the accident airplane.

In the three months preceding the accident, the pilot had accumulated 55 hours in the accident airplane, of which 18 hours were dual instruction.

AIRCRAFT INFORMATION

The turboprop airplane, serial number 469704