Small Aircraft
Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Commercial
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 9; Flight Crew Total 3800; Flight Crew Type 2200
Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness
Conflict Ground Conflict; Critical; Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Airport; Human Factors
I was ready for takeoff on runway 22 and looked to make sure the landing traffic had cleared the runway. When it was exiting; I called 'Aircraft X taking off 22; straight out'. After I started my takeoff roll; my passenger said 'people on runway' and I noticed them about midfield crossing from north (right) to south (left); about half way across. I realized that I was too fast to abort my takeoff and that continuing my takeoff was safer. I moved to the right side of the runway & then after liftoff I went further to the right. The people still were on the left side of the runway almost off it when I passed by them. I estimate I went diagonally over them about 300 or 400 feet.Someone said on the radio 'Aircraft X that just took off; you shouldn't have taken off since there were people on the runway.' I responded; 'I didn't see them until it was too late. They shouldn't have been there!' He responded with something else; but I didn't get it. I was busy with my climb out.How to have prevented incident - Pause again before takeoff to make sure the runway is clear. Post signs and/or have people monitoring pedestrians on the airport to make sure they don't get near or cross the runway. It was Open House that day and good weather and some pilots had to park airplanes on the south side (usually they park on the north side of the airport where the activity is.) There were 3 or 4 of us waiting in line for takeoff and the people crossing the runway should have seen that; but apparently didn't. I knew they were pilots; one a CFI; and they should have known better! They should either have waited for everyone to takeoff or asked for a golf cart to take them around the airport to their airplane.
GA pilot report continuing a takeoff on a runway contaminated by pedestrian traffic.