What happened
The pilot operated the aircraft until it ran out of usable fuel, resulting in an emergency landing on a nearby highway. After refueling the airplane on the ground, the pilot prepared for departure. Before commencing the takeoff roll, the pilot conducted a visual survey of the surrounding area to ensure the path was clear.
However, during the taxi phase, the aircraft moved past a road sign located near the runway or taxiway edge. As the pilot accelerated down the runway for takeoff, the left wing struck the road sign. The impact caused the aircraft to veer off the paved surface and enter an adjacent ditch, resulting in further damage to the airframe.
The investigation
Examination of the accident site and the aircraft revealed that the initial landing was necessitated by fuel exhaustion. Post-landing procedures included refueling the airplane. The subsequent collision occurred during the takeoff ground roll when the left wing contacted a fixed object, specifically a road sign, which redirected the aircraft into a ditch.
Findings
The sequence of events indicates that while the pilot successfully managed the emergency landing and refueling, situational awareness was compromised during the taxi-out phase. The failure to stop before passing the road sign led to the collision with the fixed object during the takeoff roll.