Event GAA20CA048

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that prior to the takeoff roll, he had increased the airplane's trim because, "the tail fells like it is lifting ahead of the nose when not heavily loaded in the rear." During the takeoff roll, about 73 knots and 1,800 ft down the runway the airplane ascended. The airplane was still in ground effect, and the pilot applied forward yoke pressure to increase the airplane's airspeed. About 1,000ft further, he noticed that the airspeed was 75 knots. He recalled checking the gauges and all appeared within normal limits. The airplane descended to the runway about 74 knots airspeed and bounced. The airplane overran the runway and he pushed forward on the yoke to level the airplane, but the airplane encountered a wind gust from the left and touched down in the grass about 155ft beyond the end of the runway. The nose landing gear collapsed, and the airplane stopped. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine mounts, elevator and both wings. According to the nearest METAR located 14 miles northeast of the accident site, about the time of the accident, the wind was reported as being from 260° at 17 knots and gusting to 30 knots. The pilot took off from runway 28. 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 the takeoff roll, he had increased the trim because the tail felt like it was "lifting ahead of the nose when not heavily loaded in the rear." During the takeoff roll, while about 73 knots and 1,800 ft down the runway, the airplane lifted off. The airplane was still in ground effect, and the pilot applied forward yoke pressure to increase the airspeed. He recalled checking the gauges, and all appeared within normal limits. The airplane descended to the runway about 74 knots and bounced. The airplane overran the runway, and the pilot pushed forward on the yoke to level the airplane, but the airplane encountered a wind gust from the left and touched down in the grass about 155 ft beyond the end of the runway. The nose landing gear collapsed, and the airplane stopped. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine mounts, the elevator, and both wings. 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 Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Pitch control-Not attained/maintained - C
• C Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-High wind-Effect on operation - C
• C Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Gusts-Effect on operation - C