On April 27, 1994, an Aeronca 11 AC (registration N9167E) was involved in an aviation accident near Carmi, IL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: poor preflight planning/preparation. Factors associated with the accident were the high vegetation (grass) and the ditch. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot attempting to depart from a private farm airstrip with higher grass at the departure end failed to become airborne and, rather than aborting due to a ditch, pulled up and caught the landing gear on the far side.
Accident Overview
A takeoff accident occurred on a private farm airstrip when a pilot attempted to depart. The grass at the departure end of the airstrip was higher than at the arrival end, affecting the aircraft's ability to accelerate and lift off.
Pilot Report
According to the pilot, the grass condition at the departure end was worse than at the arrival end, which likely impeded the aircraft's acceleration. The airplane did not become airborne before reaching the end of the airstrip. The pilot indicated that he did not abort the takeoff because there was a large ditch at the departure end.
Accident Sequence
Just prior to reaching the ditch, the pilot pulled up in an attempt to become airborne. However, the landing gear caught the far side of the ditch, resulting in the accident.