Event Description
According to the pilot, as the airplane was accelerating for takeoff, it became airborne briefly, then settled back onto the runway. He reported that he aborted the takeoff, but the airplane exited the end of the runway. The airplane then veered to the left and struck the runway lights.
Pilot Statements
The pilot reported that he was taking off for the first time with a passenger at this airport and was not using flaps. He stated that he did not have enough airspeed to continue the takeoff, so he aborted about two-thirds of the way down the 2000-foot-long runway. The pilot reported that there was no mechanical malfunction, and the accident could have been prevented if the runway was longer and a shortfield takeoff was executed.
Additional Information
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) noted that the pilot was taking off for the first time with a passenger at this airport and was not using flaps. No other details were provided.