GAA19CA587

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that, during the takeoff roll, about 60 knots, the airplane lifted off in nose high attitude and the stall warning horn actuated. About 20 feet above the ground, the airplane rotated to the right, but he overcorrected, and the left-wing tip struck the runway. Shortly after, he landed the airplane without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about 15 minutes before the accident, the wind was 230° at 9 knots. The pilot reported the wind was calm. The airplane departed from runway 35L. The pilot added that post-accident the elevator trim was found set to nose high, and that he should have used a pre-takeoff checklist to verify the elevator trim was set to the takeoff position. The pilot reported that, during the takeoff roll and while the airplane was about 60 knots, it lifted off in a nose-high attitude, and the stall warning horn actuated. He added that, about 20 ft above ground level, the airplane rotated to the right, but he overcorrected, and the left wingtip struck the runway. Shortly after, he landed the airplane without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. 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 postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the elevator trim was set to nose high and that he should have used a pretakeoff checklist to verify that the elevator trim was set to the takeoff position. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

• C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
• C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Pitch control-Not attained/maintained - C
• C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Use of equip/system-Pilot - C
• C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Angle of attack-Not attained/maintained - C
• C Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Tailwind-Effect on operation - C
• F Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Forgotten action/omission-Pilot - F
• F Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Use of checklist-Pilot - F