What happened
The pilot attempted a northbound takeoff from a 1931-foot grass strip. At the time of the accident, the temperature was 93 degrees Fahrenheit with a density altitude of approximately 2925 feet. The wind was from 080 degrees at 5 knots. The runway surface consisted of wet grass measuring 4 to 6 inches in height, and the south end of the strip was soft and wet.
The pilot initiated the takeoff with 1647 feet of runway remaining. Directly off the departure end of the strip sat a 32-foot storage tank topped with a 10-foot windsock. After lifting off, the aircraft banked to the right. While the aircraft cleared a lower maintenance building by only a few feet, it struck power lines positioned at 28 and 33 feet AGL before crashing.
The investigation
An investigation determined that the aircraft was loaded approximately 12 pounds below the maximum allowable limit of 3600 pounds. According to the pilot operating handbook, a takeoff from a dry, paved runway would have required 1700 feet to clear a 50-foot obstacle. However, manufacturer data indicated that approximately 2340 feet would have been necessary for a takeoff from a sod runway with 6-inch wet grass.