Event GAA19CA496

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that, prior to takeoff from a high altitude, 1,700 ft dirt airstrip with a 9,200 ft density altitude, he set the flaps to 20°, held the brakes, and ran the engine up to full power. He released the brakes, pulled back on the yoke, and the airplane accelerated. The pilot reported that the takeoff roll "seemed longer and slower than usual" and about two-thirds of the way down the runway the airspeed was 45 knots. Near the end of the runway, the airplane momentarily became airborne about 15 ft above the ground, drifted to the right, and settled back onto the ground. The airplane struck a sage bush, skidded left, the left landing gear collapsed, and the left wing impacted terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and left elevator. 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, before takeoff from a 1,700-ft-long dirt airstrip with a 9,200-ft density altitude, he set the flaps to 20°, held the brakes, and ran the engine up to full power. He released the brakes and pulled back on the yoke, and the airplane accelerated. The pilot reported that the takeoff roll "seemed longer and slower than usual" and that, about two-thirds of the way down the runway, the airspeed was 45 knots. Near the end of the runway, the airplane momentarily became airborne and reached about 15 ft above ground level and then drifted right and settled back onto the ground. The airplane struck a bush and skidded left, the left landing gear collapsed, and the left wing impacted terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and elevator. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot stated that the airplane was heavily loaded but was under the maximum allowable gross weight. He added that he believed the loss of control occurred because "the density altitude was high; the strip is very short; and….[the airplane] was heavily loaded." He further stated that the airplane did not accelerate as quickly on the dirt as it did on the hard surfaces he was used to using for takeoffs. 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-Planning/preparation-Performance calculations-Pilot - C
• C Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Temp/humidity/pressure-High density altitude-Effect on operation - C
• C Environmental issues-Physical environment-Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface-Soft surface-Effect on operation - C
• — Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-(general)-Contributed to outcome