Accident Description
The accident involved a student pilot who was conducting a short field takeoff. The pilot selected two notches of flaps and, while holding the brakes, applied full engine power. The airplane accelerated to a speed of 65 knots and lifted from the runway surface. Following liftoff, the airspeed decreased. The pilot responded by pushing the nose of the airplane over and retracting the flaps. The airplane continued to descend, and the airspeed did not increase. The pilot then force landed the airplane off the end of the runway, during which the airplane struck trees.
Pilot Information
The pilot had accumulated 33 hours of total flight time and held a student pilot certificate.
Weather Conditions
At the time of the accident, the wind was reported as 240 degrees at 10 knots, with gusts reaching 16 knots.
Investigation
According to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector who examined the scene, there were no mechanical malfunctions with the airframe or the engine.