What happened
During the takeoff roll on runway 2, which measures 8,342 feet by 150 feet, the pilot of the Cessna 172 performed a run-up that revealed no anomalies. After receiving takeoff clearance, the pilot applied full power and verified the propeller controls were in the full forward position.
As the aircraft accelerated, the pilot observed that the airplane was sluggish to develop airspeed toward the required rotation speed of 64 knots indicated airspeed. The pilot initially attributed this lack of acceleration to the high density altitude and a full fuel load. Upon reaching rotation speed at Vx, the pilot lowered the nose to attempt to reach blue line airspeed; however, the aircraft failed to accelerate beyond Vx. Believing the engines were not producing full power, the pilot elected to abort the takeoff and attempted to land back on the remaining runway. The aircraft subsequently landed on the runway with its landing gear retracted. There were no injuries.
The investigation
An examination of the airframe and the engines revealed no mechanical anomalies. Calculations determined the density altitude at the time of the event was 8,180 feet mean sea level. No abnormalities were noted on the engine instruments during the takeoff attempt.
Safety message
Reflecting on the event, the pilot stated that the takeoff should have been aborted earlier during the ground roll.