Beech F33A accident near Tarentum, Pennsylvania, May 11, 2011
On May 11, 2011 at about 1:47 pm local time, a Beech F33A, registered N17825, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Tarentum, Pennsylvania (Rock Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured and 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's delay in aborting the takeoff, which resulted in a runway overrun. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight planning and excessive loading of the airplane.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 11, 2011 · about 1:47 pm local time
- Place
- Tarentum, Pennsylvania · Rock Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured and 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech F33A · all F33As on the register
- Registration
- N17825 · no longer on the register · serial CE-711
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to passengers, the airplane began its takeoff roll at the approach end of the runway, accelerated, lifted off, climbed a few feet, and settled back on the runway. The airplane "swerved" as it slowed and then overran the departure end of the runway and 100 feet of the grass overrun area. Skid marks were observed about 712 feet before the end of the runway. Postaccident examination of the wreckage revealed no preimpact mechanical anomalies. The engine was test run and it operated satisfactorily. Weight and balance calculations revealed the estimated weight of the airplane at takeoff was 3,830 pounds, which was 230 pounds above the maximum allowable gross weight. The accelerate/stop distance calculated for the airplane’s takeoff weight was 2,483 feet. Based on the length of the runway and the calculated accelerate/stop distance, the pilot should have been able to abort the takeoff in time to avoid an overrun.
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
- Unknown or undetermined during takeoff defining event
- Runway excursion during takeoff (rejected takeoff)
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during takeoff (rejected takeoff)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Delayed action › Pilot
- factor Personnel issues › Task performance › Planning/preparation › Weight/balance calculations › Pilot
- factor Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Aircraft capability › Takeoff distance › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,204 hours in all; 1,700 in this make and model; 27 in the last 90 days; 12 in the last 30 days; 2,200 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: March 13, 2011
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,852 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 12, 2011
- Maximum gross weight: 3,700 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Cont Motor IO 550 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Jon Air LLC
The flight
- Departed from: 9G1 Tarentum PA at 1:47 pm
- Destination: 9G1 Tarentum PA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 17, 3,550 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 110° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 45°F (7°C)
- Altimeter: 30.03 inHg
- Observation at 1:55 pm from BTP, 11 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.