NTSB Factual Report

On July 28, 2001, about 0815 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 182Q, N78234, registered to TLC Land Trust, and operated by a private individual as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, crashed into a fence while attempting to take off from a private grass strip near Ocala, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The commercial-rated flight instructor, three seated passengers, and one small child received no injuries, and the airplane incurred substantial damage. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The pilot stated that he chose to take off with the downhill grade, and had set 10 degrees of flaps. The pilot further stated that the throttle was full forward, and rearward elevator pressure was applied for a soft field takeoff. The pilot said that during the takeoff, the nose got a little high, and he heard the stall warning horn, so he released some of the back pressure. He said that the airplane had not been accelerating in ground effect, and with about a third of the runway left, he believed that he could easily stop the aircraft. He said he added as much elevator as he felt would be safe, and applied the brakes, but the aircraft did not slow down. He said he aimed for what looked like the lowest part of the fence ahead of him, and was about to pull the mixture, when he decided to add power and jump the fence instead. According to the pilot, the aircraft struck the fence with the undercarriage and tail, incurring substantial damage. The pilot said that prior to the accident, there had been no mechanical failure or malfunction to the aircraft, or any of its systems.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's improper planning/decision and failure to properly judge takeoff distance, and his delayed decision to abort the takeoff, which resulted in the aircraft colliding with a fence at the end of the runway, and incurring substantial damage.