Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's improper decision not to abort the takeoff after the airplane encountered standing water on the runway, which decreased its speed and led to its subsequent inability to climb and resulted in a runway overrun.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The pilot reported that he initiated a takeoff roll on the 2,200-foot wet turf runway, and about 1,650-feet down the runway, the airplane encountered standing water and the airplane's airspeed decreased. He reported that he "still felt I had plenty of room to regain airspeed and takeoff safely."
The airplane encountered additional standing water on another section of the runway and the airplane's airspeed again decreased. The pilot retracted 2 notches of flaps and attempted to climb, but the airplane exited the departure end of the runway and collided with a cornfield. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine mounts.
The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA18CA546