Accident Overview
An aircraft was involved in a collision with trees after taking off from a private airstrip. The runway had a usable length of 1,200 feet and a field elevation of 425 feet. The pilot estimated the ambient temperature at 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
Circumstances
The takeoff was made to the northeast. Nearby weather reports indicated wind from 210 degrees at 5 knots. The airstrip is situated in a valley, and the aircraft encountered terrain clearance issues after departure.
Pilot Statement
The pilot reported that the aircraft successfully cleared the first set of trees at the end of the runway. However, the aircraft was unable to climb out of the valley in which the airstrip is located, resulting in a collision with trees.