NTSB Factual Report

On April 25, 2006, about 1430 eastern daylight time, a Lake LA-4-200, N1051L, registered to and operated by a private individual, as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, overran the runway during takeoff at the Chalet Suzanne Air Strip, Lake Wales, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The private-rated pilot and one passenger received minor injuries, and the airplane incurred substantial damage. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The pilot stated that during his arrival to the airport, on the pervious day, he noted the center of the runway was sandy and soft due to the drought. Before the departure, he walked a third of the runway to check the surface conditions. He decided to stay off the middle and favor the grassier side of the runway; however, he knew it would be bumpier during the takeoff roll. He elected to depart from runway 18, which is slightly downhill. The breeze was from the west-southwest. He performed a soft field takeoff while staying on the west side of the runway. The takeoff roll was bumpy and noted the airspeed indicator reached 55 mph, the rotation speed is 60 mph. The airplane encountered a bump, the airspeed drop to 50 mph then increased to 55 mph. The airplane encountered another bump and the airspeed dropped to 50 mph and increasing again. By this time, the airplane crossed a road located toward the end of the runway, hitting a berm, which sheared the nose wheel. The airplane became airborne with insufficient airspeed to fly. The left wing contacted the ground and the airplane spun 180 degrees, skidding backward before coming to a stop. The pilot stated there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions to the airplane or any of its systems prior to the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to abort the takeoff resulting in an overrun of the runway and encounter with terrain.