Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P2004 Bravo N846JM accident near College Place, Washington

Probable cause

The pilot’s premature retraction of the flaps which resulted in the airplane settling back onto the runway, contacting it hard, and veering off the runway.

NTSB analysis

The pilot and pilot-rated passenger departed on a personal flight. During the climb out after a touchandgo landing, the airplane lost lift about 15 ft above ground level and settled back toward the runway, contacting it hard. Subsequently, the airplane veered off the right side of the runway and sustained substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. The pilot reported that he moved the flaps slightly to the upward position during the takeoff portion of the touch and go. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation.

It is likely that as the airplane flew out of ground effect, the pilot’s retraction of the flaps before attaining climb speed created a situation in which the airplane did not have sufficient power to accelerate and climb.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR20LA229 for the full record.