Cessna 182P N111VP accident near Rainelle, West Virginia

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to adequately assess the runway conditions prior to attempting a takeoff and his failure to abort the takeoff in a timely manner resulting in an on-ground collision with trees.

NTSB analysis

According to the pilot, after landing at the destination airport, he noticed that the grass was above the airplane's wheels and that the ground was wet and soft. Prior to departing for the return flight, the pilot taxied to the south end of the runway and completed the pre-takeoff checklist. After noting no anomalies, the pilot initiated the takeoff roll. The airplane did not gain enough speed to rotate due to the wet and soft ground, and the pilot aborted the takeoff with only 375 feet of runway remaining. The airplane went off the end of the runway, down an embankment, and collided with trees.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA10LA296 for the full record.