Event Description
During takeoff on a 2,200-foot grass runway, an aircraft began its takeoff roll on a heading of 150 degrees. Approximately 800 feet from the start, the aircraft became airborne about 8 feet above the ground. It then descended nose- and left-wing-low, and the left propeller struck the grass surface. Twenty propeller slash marks were found at that location on the runway.
The aircraft subsequently took off, climbed to about 50 feet above the ground, turned left, struck trees, impacted the ground, and caught fire.
Witness Observations
A witness reported that the aircraft taxied to the takeoff point and the pilot performed an engine run-up. The witness stated the engine seemed to sputter. The aircraft took off from the north end but did not appear to climb. It settled back down, and the propeller began hitting the ground. The aircraft became airborne again, cleared an oak tree, but then struck a pine tree, resulting in a fireball. Witnesses described gusty winds with a direct crosswind from the right side of the runway to the left, occasionally shifting from the northwest.
Meteorological Information
The reported winds at a location about 40 miles west of the crash site were from 220 degrees at 14 knots.
Examination of the Aircraft and Runway
Both engines were partially disassembled, and no discrepancies were found. Examination of runway 15 revealed 20 propeller slash marks on the left side of the runway, on a heading of 150 degrees. The total distance covered by the slash marks was 453 feet and 3 inches. The distance between the first and second slash marks was 2 feet, while the distance between the last two slash marks was 61 feet. The ground speed of the aircraft between the first and second slash marks was calculated to be 101.9 miles per hour.