NTSB Factual Report

On December 30, 2005, about 1300 Pacific standard time, a Grumman AA-5, N5435L, veered off the runway and collided with terrain during takeoff at Boulder City, Nevada. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane as a local personal flight under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries; the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed.

The pilot reported that he completed a preflight through the "ready to taxi" checklist. As he taxied out, he watched a large sea plane take off, and then a Cessna departed ahead of him. He attempted to rotate at 60 mph, but was unable to raise the nose. He then discovered that he had forgotten to remove the flight control's gust lock prior to takeoff. He noted that he had a portable GPS mounted to the yoke, which obstructed his view of the gust lock and access to it. He could not recall a previous occasion in his 26 years of flying this airplane where he did not follow the airplane's checklist.

The airplane veered off the left side of the runway, and sustained damage when it encountered terrain.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection and failure to follow the airplane's checklist, which resulted in his failure to remove the gust lock prior to flight.