Accident Overview
A private pilot with 56.9 hours of flight time, who was receiving instruction from a certified flight instructor, lost control of the airplane during the takeoff and initial climb. The airplane subsequently flew into the tops of several trees before impacting water approximately 300 feet beyond the departure end of the runway.
Aircraft Examination
Post-accident examination of the airplane revealed that the flaps were in the up position at the time of the accident.
Environmental Factors
The accident occurred under the following environmental conditions: a quartering left tailwind of 9 knots and a density altitude of 2,376 feet. The runway was a private grass airstrip with a length of 1,971 feet.
Performance Calculations
Using assumptions consistent with the accident conditions, the airplane manufacturer calculated that the required takeoff roll to clear a 50-foot obstacle was 1,910 feet. This distance was nearly equal to the available runway length.