Ontario, OR, USA
N9670T
Piper PA-38-112
The aircraft descended into a reservoir off the departure end of the runway during the takeoff initial climb. The pilot held the control yoke in the full aft position during the entire takeoff roll. Due to the position of the control yoke, the aircraft used considerably more runway than it would have if the yoke had been in the near-neutral position. After lifting off approximately 1,600 feet down the 1,840 foot runway, the aircraft traveled about 300 more feet before settling into a reservoir that was just off the departure end of the runway. There was no report of any engine or flight control problem.
During a takeoff from a remote airstrip of hard-packed gravel, the pilot held the control yoke in the full aft position during the entire takeoff roll. Due to the position of the control yoke, the aircraft used considerably more runway than it would have if the yoke had been in the near-neutral position. After lifting off approximately 1,600 feet down the 1,840 foot runway, the aircraft traveled about 300 more feet before settling into a reservoir that was just off the departure end of the runway. In the Operators Safety Recommendation section of the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot wrote "Better takeoff technique." There was no report of any engine or flight control problem.
The pilot's failure to obtain and maintain an airspeed above Vs after lifting off of a remote gravel airstrip. Factors include the pilot's failure to correctly understand the procedure to use for a soft-field takeoff.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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