Accident Details
No eyewitnesses observed the accident, but three persons reported hearing the engine rev to a high power setting before the aircraft crashed. The accident site was located in a wooded area north of the pilot's 2600-foot private airstrip, which was bordered by a wooded hill to the north. The pilot's wife stated that he habitually landed to the north and took off to the south.
Multiple propeller slash marks were found on a tree limb, measuring 2 to 8 inches deep and spaced 18 to 24 inches apart. After striking trees, the aircraft came to rest inverted, with the cabin crushed.
Aircraft Examination
Post-crash inspection revealed the wing flaps were retracted, and the trim was set for takeoff. The throttle was found full forward, the propeller control set for maximum RPM, and the mixture at full rich. No preimpact mechanical failure or malfunction was identified.
Weight and balance computations indicated that the aircraft's forward center of gravity limitation was exceeded by 1.4 feet.
Manual Reference
The aircraft manual, addressing balked landing procedures, stated that it is inadvisable to retract the flaps until attaining a safe altitude and an airspeed of 90 mph.