Accident Overview
A pilot elected to take off to the north from a 1,931-foot-long grass strip. The grass on the strip was 4 to 6 inches tall and wet. The south end of the strip was soft and wet. The pilot initiated the takeoff from a point with 1,647 feet of runway remaining.
Takeoff Conditions
The wind was from 080 degrees at 5 knots. The temperature was 93 degrees Fahrenheit, and the density altitude was approximately 2,925 feet.
Obstacles
Directly off the departure end of the strip was a 32-foot storage tank with a 10-foot windsock on top. After lift-off, the aircraft was banked to the right. It cleared a lower maintenance building by a few feet but struck power lines at 28 and 33 feet above ground level, then crashed.
Aircraft Loading and Performance
An investigation revealed the aircraft was loaded to about 12 pounds below the 3,600-pound maximum allowable limit. According to the Pilot Operating Handbook, 1,700 feet would have been required to clear a 50-foot obstacle during takeoff from a dry, paved runway. Data provided by the manufacturer indicated that approximately 2,340 feet would have been required to take off from a sod runway with 6-inch wet grass.
Pilot Medical Certificate
The pilot's last medical certificate was dated March 17, 1987.