Accident Details
During the takeoff run, at 85 knots, the aircraft hit a bump and the pilot reported that his forward vision was obstructed by water on the windshield. He instinctively pulled back on the controls and became airborne. He lost sight of the right side set of runway lights and was reportedly flying 'blind.' The aircraft drifted left into trees and came to rest in shallow water in a backwater area 150 feet north of the departure end of runway 10.
Runway Conditions
Many of the runway lights were either not operating or were obstructed. No lights in the last 1000 feet of the runway were both operating and unobstructed. The NOAA Airport/Facility Directory contains a remark for the airport: 'runway subject to flooding after very heavy rains.' This remark does not appear in the Jeppesen 'Airport Directory' that the pilot was using. After the accident, the pilot stated he walked through the eastern end of the runway and found himself 'up to his ankles' in about 3 inches of water.
Occupant Status
All four occupants escaped with minor injuries.
Official Findings
The official probable cause lists the following findings under Occurrence #1 (in-flight collision with object during takeoff initial climb):
- (f) Airport facilities, runway/landing area condition - water, glassy
- (f) Charts/other manuals - inadequate
- (f) Unsafe/hazardous condition warning - not identified - manufacturer
- (f) Airport facilities, runway edge lights - inadequate
- (f) Other airport/runway maintenance - inadequate - airport personnel
- (f) NOTAMs - not issued - airport personnel
- (c) Preflight planning/preparation - inadequate - pilot in command
- (c) Unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected - pilot in command
- (f) Light condition - dark night
- (c) Aircraft handling - inadequate - pilot in command
- (c) Visual/aural detection - pilot in command