Cessna 172 N54058 accident near St. Petersburg, Florida

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to remove the gust lock before flight, which resulted in the airplane’s inability to rotate and a subsequent runway overrun. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to follow the preflight checklist.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that, before the flight, he was rushed and did not follow the preflight checklist. During the takeoff with the airplane its near maximum gross weight, he noticed that it was accelerating slowly but that the airspeed was sufficient. He applied elevator back pressure to rotate, but he immediately noticed that the control lock was still in place on the yoke, and he attempted to remove it to no avail. He added that he did not recall trying to abort the takeoff or reduce power. The airplane overran the end of the runway, impacted water, and inverted before sinking.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and empennage.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA19CA085 for the full record.