Event GAA18CA403

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that, during a practice soft field take off in light wind conditions, as the airplane's nose wheel lifted off the runway, he released the aft pressure on the yoke. The airplane "found" ground effect and "all felt normal". The airplane then began to drift left, he applied right rudder, but the rudder input had little effect. Since the landing gear was not yet retracted, he landed the airplane on the grass off the end of the runway. During the ground roll, the left wing hit a tree and went through a barbed wire fence. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system at the accident airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 100° at 5 knots. The pilot departed on runway 32. The pilot reported that, while practicing a soft-field takeoff in light wind conditions, as the nosewheel lifted off the runway, he released the aft pressure on the yoke. The airplane "found" ground effect, and "all felt normal." The airplane then began to drift left, so he applied right rudder, but the rudder input had little effect. The landing gear was not yet retracted, so he landed the airplane on the grass off the end of the runway. During the ground roll, the left wing hit a tree and went through a barbed wire fence. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system at the airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 100° at 5 knots. The pilot departed from runway 32. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

Hierarchical cause / factor breakdown from the FAA bulk avdata database. Each finding tagged C (Cause) or F (Factor).

• C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Heading/course-Not attained/maintained - C
• C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
• — Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Tree(s)-Effect on equipment
• — Personnel issues-Action/decision-Info processing/decision-Decision making/judgment-Pilot
• — Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Fence/fence post-Contributed to outcome
• — Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Tree(s)-Contributed to outcome