Accident Narrative
During the takeoff run, the aircraft reached a speed of 85 knots when it struck a bump. The pilot reported that forward vision became obstructed by water on the windshield. Instinctively, the pilot pulled back on the controls, causing the aircraft to become airborne. The pilot then lost sight of the right side set of runway lights and described flying 'blind.' The aircraft subsequently drifted to the left, struck trees, and came to rest in shallow water in a backwater area located 150 feet north of the departure end of Runway 10.
Runway Lighting and Conditions
At the time of the accident, many of the runway lights were either not operating or were obstructed. In the last 1000 feet of the runway, no lights were both operating and unobstructed. The NOAA Airport/Facility Director contained a remark stating that the runway is subject to flooding after very heavy rains. This remark did not appear in the Jeppesen Airport Directory that the pilot was using.
Pilot's Post-Accident Observations
After the accident, the pilot walked through the eastern end of the runway and reported that water was approximately 3 inches deep, reaching up to his ankles.