Incident Details
During takeoff from a 3,100-foot runway, a Cessna 172 initially lifted off, then settled back onto the runway before lifting off again. The aircraft climbed with a steep nose-high attitude to an estimated height of 200 to 250 feet, after which it entered a steep descent and crashed. The wind was reported to be aligned with the runway at 10 knots, and the temperature was about 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Density altitude was approximately 2,100 feet.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
Two pilots were seated at the controls. The right front seat pilot, who had rented the aircraft, had 59 hours of total flight time, of which 3 hours were in a Cessna 172. The left front seat pilot, normally the position for the pilot-in-command, had 120 hours of total flight time, of which 52 hours were in a Cessna 172. Before renting the aircraft, the right front seat pilot was informed of the aircraft's limited payload and runway length requirements due to the auxiliary fuel capacity. The aircraft had been refueled to capacity at an en route airport.
Operational Factors
The aircraft was estimated to have been loaded about 120 pounds over its maximum weight limit. No preimpact part failure or malfunction of the aircraft was found.