NTSB Factual Report

On July 4, 2004, approximately 0930 central daylight time, a Grumman AA-1 single-engine airplane, N6241L, was substantially damaged following a loss of control during takeoff from Cedar Mills Airport (3T0), a turf airstrip, near Gordonville, Texas. The commercial pilot and passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The flight was originating at the time of the accident, with Hicks Airfield (T67), near Saginaw, Texas, as its intended destination.

The 4,333-hour pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that there was an "almost direct crosswind," as the airplane departed from runway 07. The down-hill runway is 3,000 feet long and 60 feet wide, and is adjacent to a lake. The pilot further stated that the runway was soft. The pilot elected to use a "soft field" takeoff technique as he expected a longer than normal takeoff roll due to the soft runway condition. The pilot noted that the acceleration was "a bit slower than I was used to, but seemed OK." Approximately halfway down the runway, "the airplane became airborne, with a short squawk from the stall warning system." The pilot "let off some back pressure, and the airplane touched down for a few feet before getting airborne again." As the airplane passed a large tree on the departure end of the runway, the pilot reported that a "gust of wind" caught the right wing, and the nose dipped down. Subsequently, the left wing impacted water and the airplane came to rest in the inverted position in the lake.

Examination of the airplane by an Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who responded to the accident site, revealed structural damage to both wings and the tail section. The cockpit area, fuselage, propeller, and engine cowling also received substantial damage.

At 0950, the automated surface observing system at Grayson County Airport (GYI), near, Sherman/Denison, Texas, located 10 miles southeast from the accident site, reported wind from 210 at 15 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, clouds scattered at 1,700 feet, temperature 82 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 73 degrees Fahrenheit, and barometric pressure of 29.92 inches of Mercury. The density altitude was calculated by the NTSB investigator-in-charge at 2,333 feet.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's premature lift-off and his failure to abort the takeoff. Contributing factors were the soft and muddy runway conditions and the unfavorable winds.