Accident Overview
According to the pilot, he applied full power, set the flaps at 10 degrees, released the brakes, and rotated the airplane after reaching 80 knots. The engine subsequently lost total power when the airplane was about 150 ft above ground level. The airplane then impacted water in a nose-down, right-wing-low attitude about 300 ft from the end of the runway.
Pilot's Misperception
The pilot reported that he thought the runway was 1,900 ft long; however, it was only 1,300 ft long. The Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH) indicated that with flap settings of 0 and 20 degrees, the takeoff ground roll would have been 1,700 and 1,150 ft, respectively. No ground roll distance was specified for 10 degrees of flaps, although the POH stated that 10 degrees of flaps could be used. It is likely that the airplane would have required more than 1,300 ft for takeoff with 10 degrees of flaps.
Engine Examination
Examination of the engine revealed saltwater corrosion throughout it, likely due to the airplane's submersion after the accident. No other mechanical malfunctions or abnormalities were noted. Data from the multifunction display (MFD) and primary flight display (PFD) showed that engine parameters were in the normal operating range until the end of the recordings. The data also indicated that, 7 seconds before the end of the recordings, the airplane pitched up from 0 to about 17 degrees and then rolled 17 degrees left wing down while continuing to pitch up to 20 degrees. The airplane then rolled 77 degrees right wing down and pitched down about 50 degrees. The highest recorded airspeed was about 70 knots, occurring about 1 second before the end of the recordings.
Stall Characteristics
The POH stated that stall speed for the airplane was between 65 and 71 knots, depending on landing gear position, flap setting, and bank angle. Based on the evidence, it is likely that the engine did not lose power as reported by the pilot. As the airplane approached the end of the runway and the pilot realized it was not long enough for his planned takeoff, he attempted to lift off at an insufficient airspeed and at too high of a pitch angle, resulting in an aerodynamic stall at a low altitude. If the pilot had known the actual runway length, he might have used a flap setting of 20 degrees, which would have provided sufficient distance for the takeoff.