Beech F33A accident near Lynchburg, Virginia, January 26, 2002
On January 26, 2002 at about 2:40 pm local time, a Beech F33A, registered N3276R, was substantially damaged in an accident near Lynchburg, Virginia (Lynchburg airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control and delay in aborting the takeoff.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- January 26, 2002 · about 2:40 pm local time
- Place
- Lynchburg, Virginia · Lynchburg · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech F33A · all F33As on the register
- Registration
- N3276R · no longer on the register · serial CE-832
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane was taxied to the runway, and the pilot did not observe any abnormalities with the braking or steering system. The taxi route included two separate 90-degree turns and a 180-degree turn. As power was applied for takeoff, the pilot anticipated the tendency for the airplane to turn left by compensating with right rudder; however, "it did not produce the usual corrective action." The pilot then attempted to apply braking action to stop the turn, but the airplane departed the left side of the runway, about 75 feet from the point where the takeoff roll began, while the engine was still developing full power. The pilot aborted the takeoff, and the airplane proceeded into low-lying brush, before coming to rest upright. Examination of the airplane revealed the rudder pedals and brakes operated normally. According to the Federal Aviation Administration Airplane Flying Handbook, "In the event a takeoff is rejected, the power should be reduced to idle and maximum braking applied while maintaining directional control."
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: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 4,951 hours in all; 1,008 in this make and model; 4,951 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: October 2, 2001
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,163 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 7, 2001; 76 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,400 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental IO-520 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: W24 Lynchburg VA at 2:40 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 28, 2,900 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 160° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 37°F (3°C), dew point 25°F (-4°C)
- Altimeter: 30.31 inHg
- Observation at 9:45 am from LYH, 5 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.
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.