Piper PA-32-300 accident near Custer, South Dakota, October 20, 1999
On October 20, 1999 at about 8:45 pm local time, a Piper PA-32-300, registered N2XT, was destroyed in an accident near Custer, South Dakota (Custer County Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 3 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the pilot's inadequate preflight planning and decision to perform an intersection takeoff, and the improper short field, rolling, intersection takeoff. A factor relating to this accident was the trees.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 20, 1999 · about 8:45 pm local time
- Place
- Custer, South Dakota · Custer County Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 3 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-32-300 · all PA-32-300s on the register
- Registration
- N2XT · registry record · serial 32R-7680108
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot performed an intersection takeoff with 4,100 feet of usable runway remaining. As he took the runway for takeoff, the pilot advanced the throttle to half full, then followed with full throttle after the roll was initiated. The pilot said that the airplane did not perform as expected during the takeoff roll. 'The nose of the aircraft was gradually lifted off the runway and the typical liftoff and climbout power anticipated was absent.' The pilot determined the airplane was not going to get safely airborne and aborted the takeoff. The pilot said that he applied brakes, but determined that his speed was going to take him off the end of the runway. The pilot said he avoided obstacles as the airplane passed over 'an approximately 10 feet drop off.' He guided the airplane between a 7 foot tall tree which took off the right wing. Examination of the wreckage revealed no anomalies. According to the 25-degree Flaps Takeoff Ground Roll chart in the Pilot's Operating Handbook; for a 3,600 pound airplane, temperature of 60 degrees Fahrenheit, pressure altitude of 6,800 feet msl, and estimated headwind of 5 knots, the takeoff ground roll was approximately 1,950 feet. Associated conditions included 2,700 rpm, full throttle before brake release, and a paved, level, dry runway. The Flaps Up Takeoff Ground Roll chart for a 3,600 pound airplane and the same conditions, showed the takeoff ground roll to be approximately 2,790 feet.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 641 hours in all; 101 in this make and model; 18 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days; 621 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,101 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 7, 1999; 60 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,600 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-540-K1A5D (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: SD01 at 8:45 pm
- Destination: 9V9 Chamberlain SD
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 26, 5,500 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 61°F (16°C), dew point 21°F (-6°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 8:53 pm from CUT, 260 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.