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The Shadow on the Runway
A student pilot's routine takeoff in a classic Piper Cub turns perilous when his dog chases the plane down the runway. His split-second decision to spare his pet creates a far more dangerous situation in the air.
Key Lesson
In his attempt to mitigate one hazard—striking his dog—the pilot created a far more lethal hazard: an unrecoverable aerodynamic stall at low altitude.
Probable Cause
The pilot's premature liftoff which resulted in insufficient climb performance and collision with trees.
"I did not get lined up for takeoff the way I should because of the dog chasing the plane... The plane was going slow and as I neared the end of the runway my right wing tip hit a tree."