Fairbanks, AK, USA
N2765A
Piper PA18
The flight school owner reported that, while the pilot receiving instruction was taking off from a lake, the airplane accelerated onto the step and that, just before liftoff but with the airplane still below takeoff speed, he attempted to abruptly rotate the airplane out of the water. The float's heels impacted the water, which reduced the airspeed. The flight instructor took control of the airplane and put it back onto the step. Realizing that there was insufficient water remaining to make a successful takeoff, the instructor retarded the throttle and aborted the takeoff. The airplane exited the water onto wet grass, and the right wing impacted the ground, which resulted in substantial damage to the wing. The owner reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The flight instructor of the float equipped airplane reported that the pilot rated student completed a confined landing on a slough with minimal instructor corrections. During takeoff from the lake, the airplane accelerated onto the step, and just prior to lift off, but still below takeoff speed, the student abruptly attempted to rotate the airplane out of the water. The heels of the floats dug into the water which reduced the airspeed. The instructor took control of the airplane and put it back onto the step. Realizing that there was insufficient water remaining, the takeoff was aborted. The airplane exited the water onto wet grass and the airplane's right wing impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The pilot receiving instruction's premature pitch control input during takeoff, which resulted in an aborted takeoff and subsequent impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's delayed remedial action.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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