GAA18CA429

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that, during takeoff on a grass runway, after lift-off, he noticed he was not able to climb at a normal rate. He lowered the nose of the airplane, but the airspeed remained "dangerously low" and the stall horn sounded intermittently. He reduced power to abort the takeoff, but there was insufficient runway remaining. The airplane touched down, overran the runway, the left wing impacted a tree, and the airplane spun 180° before coming to rest. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about 5 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 140° at 5 knots, temperature 64°F, dew point 59°F. The airplane was departing on runway 26. The pilot did not submit the NTSB Form 6120.1 Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report. The pilot reported that, during takeoff on a grass runway, after liftoff, he noticed the airplane was not able to climb at a normal rate. He lowered the airplane's nose, but the airspeed remained "dangerously low," and the stall horn sounded intermittently. He reduced power to abort the takeoff, but there was insufficient runway remaining. The airplane touched down and overran the runway, the left wing impacted a tree, and the airplane spun 180° before coming to rest. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about 5 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 140° at 5 knots. The airplane was departing from runway 26. 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-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
• C Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Tailwind-Decision related to condition - C
• — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Tailwind-Effect on operation
• — Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Tree(s)-Contributed to outcome