Primary finding
Probable cause
the pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during a soft field takeoff.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot was attempting a soft field takeoff when the accident occurred. He stated he lifted the airplane off the ground at 60 mph and stayed above the runway to build airspeed. The left wing dipped and the airplane veered to the right side of the runway. The pilot stated that while trying to correct the drift, the airplane lost airspeed and altitude. He said the left wing then brushed the runway followed by the right wing making harder contact. The airplane then hit hard on the runway and came to a stop.
Source record
Factual narrative
On July 18, 1995, at 1830 central daylight time, a Cessna 172, N53716, registered to the Yankee Flying Club of Minneapolis, Minnesota, collided with the terrain during takeoff from Morey's Airport, Motley, Minnesota. The local personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was not operating on a flight plan. The airplane was substantially damaged. The pilot and three passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot reported that he used soft field takeoff procedures. He stated that at 40 mph the nosewheel lifted off the ground and at 60 mph the airplane lifted off. He stated the main landing gear briefly touched down, but he lifted the airplane back off, staying above the runway to build up airspeed. He reported, "Just below tree top level my left wing dipped. I tried to correct this situation and I noticed that was drifting off to the right of the runway. While trying to level the aircraft down the runway things started to deteriorate." He reported that the airplane was losing airspeed and altitude then the left wing brushed the runway followed by the right wing making harder contact. The airplane then "... hit hard on the runway and came to a complete stop." -