GAA18CA276

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that, before the flight, he performed weight and balance and performance calculations with the initial fuel level in the airplane. The airplane fuel tanks were then filled full of fuel, but he did not amend the weight and balance or performance calculations. The pilot reported that, during takeoff, after the airplane became airborne, he did not feel comfortable with the way the airplane was performing, so he reduced power and landed the airplane on the remaining runway. He added that, he did not have enough runway to stop and attempted to exit on a taxiway, but "understeered" and the airplane exited the runway into a ditch. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported on the National Transportation Safety Board 6120.1 Form that the airplane's maximum gross weight was 2,460 pounds and that the weight at the time of the accident was 2,600 pounds, about 140 pounds over the maximum gross weight. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that, before the flight, he performed weight and balance and performance calculations with the initial fuel level in the airplane. The fuel tanks were then filled full of fuel, but he did not amend the weight and balance or performance calculations. The pilot reported that, during takeoff, after the airplane became airborne, he did not feel comfortable with the way the airplane was performing, so he reduced power and landed the airplane on the remaining runway. He added that he did not have enough runway to stop and attempted to exit on a taxiway but "understeered," and the airplane exited the runway into a ditch. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The airplane's maximum gross weight was 2,460 lbs, and the weight at the time of the accident was 2,600 lbs, which was about 140 lbs over the maximum gross weight and likely affected the airplane's takeoff performance. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

• C Personnel issues-Action/decision-Info processing/decision-Decision making/judgment-Pilot - C
• C Personnel issues-Task performance-Planning/preparation-Weight/balance calculations-Pilot - C
• C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
• F Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Aircraft capability-Maximum weight-Capability exceeded - F
• — Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-(general)-Contributed to outcome