Cessna 207A accident near Kongiganak, Alaska, August 23, 2008

The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record

The pilot was attempting to takeoff from a short, wet runway with five passengers, and baggage when the accident occurred. He stated that the heavily loaded airplane didn't seem to accelerate as fast as it should have, and slowed down each time it encountered one of the numerous pools of water on the runway. He said the airplane became airborne about 3/4 down the runway, but would not climb. He realized the airplane was going to collide with the tundra, and added more flaps as the airplane passed over the end of the runway, and pulled back on the elevator control to minimize the impact. The pilot stated that he didn't think the engine was developing full power, although he had no problems with it during previous flights that day. He also noted that he was uncertain as to the actual weight of the airplane at takeoff, but said it was at or below the allowable gross weight. A review of the operator's maintenance records for the accident airplane disclosed no recent mechanical problems or pilot complaints about the engine's performance. An FAA inspector inspected the accident engine postaccident and monitored it during a test run at the operator's facilities. The inspector found no anomalies with the engine, and stated that it developed full rated rpm during the test run. A witness to the accident said the airplane appeared to be heavily loaded with bags and people, and that it slowed significantly each time it hit a puddle of water.

The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.