Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's inadequate preflight preparation. A factor was the wet runway.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
During takeoff, about 2000 feet down the 2600 foot wet, sod runway, water was ingested into the engine. The engine quit. The airplane subsequently collided with trees off the departure end of the runway.
Source record
Factual narrative
On August 18, 1994, about 1930 eastern daylight time, a Cessna A188B, N9928J, collided with trees during a forced landing at Coolidge, Georgia. The airplane was operated by Harrell's Aviation under 14 CFR Part 137, and visual flight rules. A flight plan was not filed for the local, aerial application flight. There were no injuries to the commercial pilot, and the airplane was substantially damaged. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to the pilot, the engine quit during the takeoff roll, because of water from the wet runway that was ingested into the engine. The airplane was about 2600 feet down the 2900 foot long runway. Lift off was continued and the airplane collided with trees at the departure end of the runway. -