Accident Details
The airplane experienced a left drift during a takeoff from a sod runway at dusk. As the aircraft lifted off, the right main landing gear and the right horizontal stabilizer contacted a metal runway edge marker. After traveling approximately 150 feet, the airplane struck a tree at about 20 feet above ground level, located to the left of the runway boundary. The impact caused the airplane to spin around and then hit the ground nose-first.
Witness and Pilot Statements
The pilot reported lifting the nose gear off the ground after a ground roll of about 500 feet. Witnesses stated that the airplane appeared to be over-rotated during the takeoff.
Runway Information
The runway was 1,225 feet long and 60 feet wide, with grass varying in length from 6 to 14 inches. Performance data indicated that the airplane required 830 feet for takeoff and 1,325 feet to clear a 50-foot obstacle.