Accident
The pilot landed on a unidirectional airstrip that required landings to the south and takeoffs to the north due to a hill near the southern end. Later, the pilot initiated a takeoff to the north with a passenger aboard. The aircraft subsequently impacted trees on the right side of the 1,320-foot grass strip and crashed.
Aircraft Information
The aircraft had been modified by shortening the wings, adding an additional fuel tank to each wing, and replacing the Continental C-65 engine with a Continental O-200-A engine.
Weight and Balance
The pilot weighed 230 pounds and the passenger weighed 190 pounds. Weight and balance information indicated that any fuel in excess of approximately 4 gallons would have placed the aircraft over the allowable takeoff weight and the center of gravity well aft of the allowable limit.
Meteorological Information
About 23 miles west-southwest of the accident site, at Richards-Gebaur Airport, the wind was reported from 190 degrees at 8 knots.