On May 5, 1996, a Cessna A185E (registration N185MP) was involved in an aviation accident near Cascade, ID. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot's improper planning/decision, his failure to ensure that the airplane would maintain proper clearance from obstructions (trees), and his delay in aborting the takeoff. The soft/wet runway and tailwind were related factors. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot reported that during a soft field takeoff from a wet grass strip, a wind shift to a tailwind caused a 10-knot airspeed loss, leading to an aborted takeoff after striking trees.
Accident Details
The pilot of an airplane initiated a soft field takeoff on a wet and soft grass strip. After lifting off, the pilot leveled the airplane at 10 feet above ground level to increase speed. During this phase, the wind shifted to a tailwind, causing the airspeed to drop by 10 knots. The airplane was unable to clear small trees at the end of the runway. The pilot aborted the takeoff after colliding with the first trees. The airplane subsequently landed approximately 300 feet from the end of the runway.
Pilot's Account
The pilot reported that the takeoff was performed under soft field conditions due to the wet and soft grass. The decision to level off at 10 feet was intended to accelerate. The wind shift to a tailwind resulted in a significant loss of airspeed. The presence of small trees at the runway's end prevented a successful climb, leading to the collision and abort. The landing occurred beyond the runway, 300 feet from its end.