Incident Description
A pilot was practicing short field takeoff procedures intended for use during trips to Mexico. A flight instructor/examiner accompanied the pilot as a passenger. The first takeoff was conducted on runway 18 using a rolling start with 20 degrees of flaps, full power, and the control yoke held fully aft. After liftoff, the instructor/examiner suggested the pilot level off and land on the remaining runway, which was accomplished.
The second takeoff began from a full stop at the runway threshold. The pilot applied power with the flaps set to 20 degrees and the control yoke full back, then released the brakes. At rotation, the tail tie-down ring and tail cone contacted the runway surface, causing the airplane to pitch up steeply. The pilot relinquished control to the instructor/examiner, who reportedly yelled, 'I don't have control.' The airplane subsequently rolled off onto the right wing, impacting the runway, then pivoted forward onto the left wing and nose just off the runway.
Postaccident Findings
A postaccident examination of the airplane determined that the flaps were in the up (retracted) position at the time of ground impact. The Cessna 182S information manual specifies that for a short field takeoff, the recommended configuration includes wing flaps set to 20 degrees, brakes applied, full power at 2,400 rpm, and a lean mixture to achieve the maximum power fuel flow placard value. After releasing the brakes, the elevator control should be used to maintain a slightly tail-low attitude. The accident sequence occurred during the second takeoff attempt.