GAA18CA471

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that, during takeoff from a soft field runway, about 10 feet above the ground, the airplane drifted left. The left wing "dipped", contacted the ground and the airplane impacted terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to right wing, right elevator and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot added that he should have "stayed longer in ground effect." The automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about 20 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 210° at 10 knots and about 40 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 190º at 7 knots. The airplane departed on runway 22. The pilot reported that, during takeoff from a soft-field runway, about 10 ft above the ground, the airplane drifted left. He added that the left wing "dipped" and contacted the ground and that the airplane then impacted terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing, right elevator, and fuselage. 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 he should have "stayed longer in ground effect." The airport's automated weather observation station reported that, about 20 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 210° at 10 knots and that, about 40 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 190º at 7 knots. The airplane departed from runway 22. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

• C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Lateral/bank control-Not attained/maintained - C
• C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C