Cessna 182G N2011R accident near Port Eads, Louisiana

Probable cause

The pilot's improper decision to depart from a runway not suitable for takeoff, which resulted in a loss of aircraft control.

NTSB analysis

The private pilot stated that his private grass runway was wet but he decided to take-off anyway. During the takeoff roll, the left wheel struck a puddle just as he was lifting the airplane off the ground. This caused the right side of the airplane to become airborne before the left side. The pilot said he was able to level the airplane at a height of 30 feet above ground level (agl), but the airplane would not climb. He held the airplane in a nose high attitude as it began to strike sugar cane adjacent to the runway. The airplane descended and the tail section struck the ground first. When the nose wheel hit the ground, it sunk in the mud and the airplane flipped over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the tail section, right wing strut, and firewall. The pilot stated there were no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane prior to the accident. He also said that he should have checked the runway's condition before departing and waited for conditions to improve.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN14CA528 for the full record.