Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during the takeoff. Contributing was the flight instructor’s lack of remedial action.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot, flight instructor, and the passenger onboard the airplane were attempting to depart from a 3,400-ft-long turf runway. The pilot reported that as the airplane began to lift off from the runway, and he attempted to “ease the nose down” to stay in ground effect and gain airspeed. He attempted to correct a left yaw by applying right rudder and lowering the nose, but the airplane became uncontrollable. The airplane departed the runway, impacted trees, and a post-crash fire ensued that destroyed the airplane. A witness also observed the takeoff and described that as the airplane was taking off, the engine was at full power but it lifted off the runway too soon. Due to the airplane’s low speed, it descended and bounced. When the airplane contacted the ground again, the left with struck the ground and the airplane pivoted to the left, departed the runway, and went into a ditch where it came to rest.