Accident Overview
A pilot of a high-performance single-engine airplane obtained a weather briefing before arriving at the departure airport. Upon arrival, the pilot spoke with the airport manager, who provided current weather conditions for an airport about 10 miles to the northeast. The reported winds were from 200 degrees at 15 knots with gusts to 31 knots.
Departure and Incident
The pilot departed from Runway 15 shortly after receiving the wind information. The airport manager observed the airplane's main landing gear tires smoking during the takeoff roll. Shortly after, the manager heard an explosion and saw fire and smoke.
Post-Accident Observations
A fireman who arrived shortly after the accident observed the wind sock pointing in a southeasterly direction. The runway displayed 1,609 feet of skid marks that formed a gradual arc to the right. The clearway, the area between the runway and the taxiway, showed 334 feet of tire depressions and furrow marks that paralleled the runway before terminating.