What happened
During the takeoff roll on runway 17 at Grand Prairie-Hensley Field NAS, the pilot-in-command attempted to proceed with the departure. However, due to an incorrect trim setting, the aircraft was unable to rotate as intended. As the plane failed to lift off, the crew attempted to execute emergency braking maneuvers, but the distance remaining on the runway was insufficient to halt the movement.
The aircraft subsequently exited the end of runway 17, struck a perimeter fence, and continued moving until it came to a stop in Mountain Creek Lake. The incident resulted in five injuries, with both pilots sustaining serious harm.
Findings
Investigations into the accident identified several contributing factors related to operational errors and environmental conditions. The crew failed to adhere to established procedures and did not utilize the required checklists, specifically neglecting to verify the stabilizer trim prior to takeoff. Furthermore, the decision to abort the takeoff was delayed, and the crew failed to deploy the spoilers and drag chute during the braking attempt.
Environmental factors also played a role, as the runway surface was wet at the time of the event. Ultimately, the accident was driven by inadequate preflight preparation on the part of the crew.