CHI98LA149

The pilot was holding short of the active runway. When cleared for takeoff, the pilot applied full power from his hold short position without making a right turn onto the runway. According to the pilot, he thought he was already on the runway. The airplane traveled across the runway, through a ditch and became airborne. It then landed in a parking area and continued on until coming to rest after contacting a fence on the south side of the airport.

On May 6, 1998, at 2204 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172M, N8994V, operated by a private pilot collided with two fences during takeoff at the Elkhart Municipal Airport, Elkhart, Indiana. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan.

N8994V was on taxiway B-1 holding short of runway 27 prior to takeoff. When cleared for takeoff, the pilot applied full power from his hold short position without making a right turn onto the runway. According to the pilot he thought he was already runway 27.

According to an Inspector from the South Bend Federal Aviation Administration Flight Standards District Office and witnesses, the airplane crossed over runway 27 and proceeded through a grass covered ditch. As it came out of the ditch it became airborne, touching down in a parking area on the southeast side of the airport. The airplane then struck a fence on the south side of the airport. The right wing of the airplane contacted the corner post of this fence which resulted in the airplane turning to the west. It then struck another portion of the fence prior to coming to rest.