Incident Overview
During the takeoff roll, the aircraft collided with a generator that had been positioned on the runway. The generator was placed to illuminate an X indicating that the runway was closed. Despite the closure, the aircraft attempted to take off from that runway.
Pilot Actions
The pilot did not realize that the runway was closed, even after listening to an Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS) message that explicitly stated the runway was closed. Additionally, a Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) was in effect reporting the same closure. The pilot later stated that he heard what he expected to hear when he listened to the ATIS.
Relevant Information
The generator was on the runway solely to provide visibility for the closed-runway marking. No other details about the aircraft, operator, location, or injuries were provided in the source.