Accident Description
According to the pilot, while departing an 800-foot off-airport landing area, the airplane did not become airborne and collided with trees at the departure end. The airplane was 1,268 pounds under its maximum takeoff weight at the time of the accident. The pilot had operated from this location approximately 500 times. Winds were reported as calm.
Propeller and Engine Examination
The propeller had been overhauled 32 hours prior to the accident. Since the overhaul, the airplane had only been operated from a 3,600-foot-long runway. A test run of the engine-propeller combination was performed following the accident. During the first two tests, the engine did not reach the design takeoff static RPM required to produce takeoff power. However, subsequent test operation of the engine was normal. Testing and disassembly of the propeller governor failed to reveal any defects.