Introduction
A flight instructor and a student were attempting a short and soft field takeoff from a 2,600-foot grass strip. The maneuver was part of training.
Sequence of Events
After the airplane rotated, the instructor observed that the airspeed was not increasing sufficiently to allow the airplane to clear obstacles at the end of the runway. He therefore decided to abort the takeoff. Despite applying braking, the instructor was unable to stop the airplane before it overran the runway and collided with a ditch.
Environmental Conditions
Witnesses reported that the field had been mowed the previous day and was dry. These conditions were relevant to the takeoff performance.
Performance Data
The Information Manual for the Cessna 152 indicates that, under the existing conditions and airplane configuration, the short field takeoff distance should have been approximately 1,967 feet.