Accident Overview
During a flight intended to familiarize a pilot rated passenger (PRP) with instrument flight rules operations, the aircraft was involved in an accident. The PRP, seated in the left front seat, reported that they back taxied on the runway because runway 6 was short and there were trees at the departure end. No flaps were used for takeoff, and the climb airspeed was held at 70 miles per hour.
Sequence of Events
The PRP stated that the instructor took over the controls and performed what the PRP described as a maximum climb takeoff. After the aircraft cleared the trees, the PRP felt the airplane sink. According to a passenger, the right wing then clipped a tree, which propelled the plane into a downward spiral.
Postaccident Examination
A postaccident examination of the engine and airframe revealed no structural or mechanical anomalies. The instructor was subjected to toxicological tests, which detected 0.004 ug/ml of Tetrahydrocannabinol Carboxylic Acid (a metabolite of marijuana) in the lung fluid, and 0.046 ug/ml in the urine.
Probable Cause
No probable cause was stated in the source material.