NTSB Factual Report

According to the pilot, she performed a short field takeoff with 10 degrees of flaps. The airplane gained speed slowly, and halfway down the runway it lifted off in ground effect. The airplane continued to climb out between 50-55 knots. The pilot reported that the airplane was nearing the end of the runway and she knew that they were not going to gain enough altitude to climb over the trees at the end of the runway. She pulled the power and landed the airplane back on the runway "as quickly as possible." Immediately upon touchdown, she applied the brakes; however, the airplane overran the runway, went down a hill, and the landing gear collided with piles of firewood length logs and "logging slash," and nosed over coming to rest inverted. She further stated that the runway surface was a mixture of dirt, gravel, and some dry grass and weeds. The pilot reported in the recommendation on how the accident could have been prevented section of the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1), that she over estimated the capabilities of the airplane under the existing altitude, runway conditions, and height of trees at the end of the runway.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airport Facility Directory reported that the Lake Wenatchee Airport, Leavenworth, Washington, runways are an east/west orientation (09/27). The runway length was 2,473 feet by a width of 100 feet, and constructed of turf. The airport elevation is 1,939 feet. It also indicated that prior to use the Washington State Aviation Division should be contacted for facility information. The Washington State Department of Transportation - Aviation division website: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/aviation/AllStateAirports/Leavenworth_LakeWenatcheeState.htm reported that the airport had "some density altitude problem" that can be anticipated on hot summer days. It also noted that trees surround the airport, as well as trees in close proximity to both approach ends of the runway. The airport was identified as unattended.

The pilot was not able to recall the full weather for the area. However, the closest airport identified was the Pangborn Memorial Airport, Wenatchee, Washington, located 33 nautical miles southeast of the accident airport. The recorded Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS) at 1155 indicated that the temperature was 28 degrees Celsius (82 degrees Fahrenheit) with a dew point of 08 degrees Celsius (46 degrees Fahrenheit), and an altimeter of 29.88 inches of Mercury. The Safety Board investigator calculated the density altitude to be 3,186 feet.

The pilot reported that she had used 10 degrees of flaps for takeoff. She reported the following weights for the flight:

340 pounds - 2 people

18 gallons of fuel

175 pounds of gear

The rear seat had been removed to accommodate the gear, and she estimated the airplane's weight at the time of the accident to be 2,095 pounds.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate preflight planning and failure to attain a sufficient airspeed to continue the takeoff. A contributing factor was the high density altitude and short runway.