Aircraft Strikes Weeds and Dike During Departure, Destroyed by Fire (N6566)

Departure and Initial Climb

During the first departure of the day, the airplane did not accelerate sufficiently to become airborne and clear eight-foot-tall weeds at the south end of the private strip. The airplane managed to get airborne at the end of the strip, but the chemical spreader mounted on its bottom contacted the tall weeds.

Loss of Control and Collision

The contact with the weeds resulted in a loss of airspeed, leading to a subsequent collision with an earthen irrigation dike. The airplane came to rest approximately 200 feet from the initial point of impact. A post-impact fire consumed the wreckage.

Investigation Findings

Investigation revealed that about 50 feet of the strip was covered by two-foot-tall weeds, and the rest of the takeoff surface consisted of a hard surface dirt crust with a spongy underlayer.