What happened
Two pilots were operating a Cessna 172 during a flight involving a rental agreement. The pilot in the right front seat, who had rented the aircraft, had 59 total flight hours, including 3 hours in this specific model. The pilot in the left front seat, occupying the position normally used by the pilot in command, had 120 total flight hours, with 52 hours in the Cessna 172.
Prior to renting the aircraft, the pilot in the right front seat was informed of specific runway length requirements and limited payload capacity resulting from the presence of auxiliary fuel. The aircraft had been refueled to its full capacity at an en route airport.
During takeoff from a 3,100-foot runway, the aircraft lifted off but subsequently settled back onto the runway before lifting off a second time. The aircraft then climbed with a steep, nose-high attitude to an altitude of approximately 200 to 250 feet. Following this climb, the aircraft entered a steep descent and crashed. At the time of the accident, the temperature was approximately 90 degrees Fahrenheit, the wind was aligned with the runway at 10 knots, and the density altitude was approximately 2,100 feet.
The investigation
The investigation determined that the aircraft had been loaded approximately 120 lbs over its maximum weight limit. No preimpact mechanical failure or malfunction of the aircraft was identified.