Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's inadequate planning and decision-making.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot stated he was operating at night at an unfamliar airport. He received progressive taxi instructions to the active runway. The airplane was still on the taxiway when the air traffic controller cleared the pilot for immediate takeoff and advised him of traffic on a two mile final. The pilot reported the pilot-rated passenger was urging him to hurry, and he applied full throttle. The pilot stated he felt something was not right, '...but i couldn't put my finger on it.' when he realized the airplane was still on the taxiway and not the runway, the pilot shut down the engine. The airplane ran off the approach end of the runway, and came to rest in a ditch.
Source record
Factual narrative
-