The pilot reported that the Piper PA28 was standing at the hold short line for the runway at the airport in Lititz, Pennsylvania, at night.
He was cleared for takeoff and taxied toward the runway, however he mistook a taxiway for the runway and attempted a takeoff.
During the takeoff roll, the plane hit a fence and came to rest inverted.
The airplane’s fuselage and left wing were substantially damaged, while the pilot sustained minor injuries in the crash.
Probable Cause: The pilot’s inadvertent attempt to takeoff on a taxiway, rather than a runway, which resulted in a collision with a fence during takeoff.
To download the final report. Click here. This will trigger a PDF download to your device.
This November 2020 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
It’s an important subject which probably should get more attention and these mistakes happen at all levels. I use the Lexington KY regional airline accident to emphasize how critical it is to identify the runway and then talk through the process as we take the runway even though we are based at a simple one-runway airport.
I agree with you. The FAA has published a number of notices on ‘Wrong Surface Operations’ – takeoff, landing and ground ops.
Another crash is the No. Las Vegas collision, and this was the home airport for this pilot.
Where I live we have blue taxiway lites on taxiways and clear lites on the runway. Works to clear confusion down here in the south.
Did the same thing at Bergstrom AFB. Wheels up and tower said nice TO from taxiway. Was on my way to Shreveport.
WOW..!! So, this 84 yr old guy can’t tell a taxiway from a runway and wrecked his aircraft.
Maybe it’s time for him to turn in his certificate[s]….?
Here at Nashville’s BNA, an old runway turned taxiway confused all manner of pilots for years. Numerous erroneous take-offs from GA and Airline types finally prompted the removal of pavement and total rerouting of the offending ‘hot spot’. Don’t think age ever entered into the equation.