Event GAA18CA469

Factual narrative

The pilot in the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during the takeoff roll about 40 knots airspeed, with full flaps and about 50 percent of the 900ft runway remaining, the airplane lifted off and began to climb. The airplane climbed above the tree line but then descended into ground effect. The pilot attempted to clear the trees ahead, but the airplane stalled. The left wing dropped, and the airplane descended below the tree line and touched down on the main landing gear but collided with trees and it came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing lift struts. The pilot reported that he could have utilized the additional runway surface and held the airplane on the ground to achieve a more desirable airspeed. Additionally, the pilot operating handbook does not suggest the use of full flap application during short-field takeoffs. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot in the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during the takeoff roll about 40 knots airspeed with full flaps and about 50% of the 900-ft-long runway remaining, the airplane lifted off and began to climb. The airplane climbed above the tree line but then descended into ground effect. The pilot attempted to clear the trees ahead, but the airplane stalled. The left wing dropped, and the airplane descended below the tree line and touched down on the main landing gear, collided with trees, and then came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing lift struts. The pilot reported that he could have used the additional runway surface and held the airplane on the ground to achieve a more desirable airspeed. Additionally, the Pilot’s Operating Handbook stated not to use full flap application during short-field takeoffs. 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

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

• C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
• C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Use of equip/system-Pilot - C
• C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Aircraft capability-Climb capability-Capability exceeded - C
• C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Angle of attack-Capability exceeded - C
• — Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Tree(s)-Contributed to outcome