Accident Details
According to the pilot of a Cessna 172P, registration N52336, the accident occurred during the takeoff roll. The pilot reported that he lost control of the airplane while attempting to close and lock the left cabin window with his right hand. As a result, the airplane drifted off the left side of the runway and struck several taxiway lights before becoming airborne in a pronounced nose-high attitude.
The pilot further stated that while in ground effect, the wheels of the airplane were never higher than 5 or 6 feet above the ground.
Witness Observations
An instructor and a student pilot were in the traffic pattern at the time of the accident. They reported that their airplane had just turned final approach to runway 23 as N52336 initiated its takeoff roll. They observed the accident airplane pitch up with a steep nose-high attitude moments after it drifted off the left side of the runway. The witnesses stated that the wings of the airplane began to rock left and right, and then the left wing dropped.
Final Impact
The operator reported that the airplane struck the ground in a nose-low attitude and in a slight left turn.