Incident Overview
A pilot and a passenger boarded an airplane for a return flight to their home base. The passenger's dog was secured in a special harness in the rear seat, while the passenger occupied the front right seat.
Witness Observations
Witnesses reported that the takeoff roll appeared longer than usual. After liftoff, the airplane did not climb. It subsequently rolled to the right and descended into trees approximately 3/4 of a mile from the departure end of the runway.
Impact and Examination
The impact site consisted of soft dirt, a condition attributed to recent rains. Examination of the propeller blades revealed rotational damage on their front surfaces. The engine was inspected and showed no evidence of mechanical malfunction.
Passenger and Pilot Details
The pilot weighed approximately 200 pounds, and the passenger weighed approximately 300 pounds.
Dog Fatality
Investigation determined that the dog's death resulted from suffocation caused by ingestion of a plastic bag containing bits of meat.