A lesson to all. Aviation is one of those things in life that people will pay the ultimate price for.
I have been to Sandown many times and seen it happen. I was sat on the veranda at the cafe earlier this year, and the local pleaseure flight a C-172 was filled up to the brim with pax and fuel. The guy sat next to me having a drink rated the guy as a good pilot! I beg to differ!! Said cessna got airbourne just!! Hmmm
Was a performance take off used? ie full power on the brakes and one or two stages of flap. I never saw it applied once when I was sat watching for an hour or so. I applied this and was airbourne in half the length. Come the end of the runway I was cleaning up with a good positive rate. But then again I wasnt full up and well over limits.
Condolences to all involved. Please though let this be a lesson to the rest of us!