Piper PA-32R accident near Hatteras, North Carolina, December 6, 2009
On December 6, 2009 at about 3:37 pm local time, a Piper PA-32R, registered N5319J, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff (rejected takeoff) near Hatteras, North Carolina (Billy Mitchell airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's inability to maintain directional control during an aborted takeoff for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 6, 2009 · about 3:37 pm local time
- Place
- Hatteras, North Carolina · Billy Mitchell · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-32R 301 · all PA-32Rs on the register
- Registration
- N5319J · registry record · serial 3257213
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that just prior to becoming airborne, a cockpit aural alarm sounded and the manifold pressure was approximately one inch above its maximum limit. He elected to abort the takeoff and applied the brakes. The airplane veered to the left and he concluded that the right brake was not functioning correctly. In response, he attempted to correct the drift using right rudder application. The airplane exited the left side of the runway and collided with sand dunes and vegetation. The reported failure of the right brake was not able to be confirmed and no cause for such a failure was observed.
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
What happened, in order
- Loss of control on ground during takeoff (rejected takeoff)
- Runway excursion during takeoff (rejected takeoff) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Powerplant parameters › Incorrect use/operation
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Variable wind › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 215 hours in all; 155 in this make and model
- Last flight review: May 20, 2009
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,141 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 5, 2009; 151 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,600 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-540 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: HSE Hatteras NC at 3:37 pm
- Destination: ORF Norfolk VA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 07, 3,000 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 11 knots, gusting 19
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 1,900 ft
- Temperature: 46°F (8°C), dew point 37°F (3°C)
- Altimeter: 30.31 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
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.
Other NTSB records under N5319J the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.