GAA19CA010

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that he did not want to take off from the wet grass airstrip he normally used so he decided to takeoff from the asphalt road that parallels the grass on the left side of the airstrip. During the takeoff roll, the left wing collided with tall vegetation and the airplane veered left and exited the road. The airplane subsequently impacted a drainage culvert. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and the empennage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that he did not want to take off from the wet grass airstrip he normally used, so he decided to take off from an asphalt road that paralleled the grass on the left side of the airstrip. During the takeoff roll, the left wing collided with tall vegetation, and the airplane veered left and exited the road. The airplane subsequently impacted a drainage culvert. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and the empennage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures 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 Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained - C
• C Environmental issues-Physical environment-Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface-(general)-Decision related to condition - C
• — Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-(general)-Contributed to outcome