Witness Account
A witness watched the airplane as it initiated its takeoff run from a dirt road. During the run, the airplane's tail appeared to strike the crest of a hill, yet the airplane did not become airborne immediately. Farther down the road, the witness saw the airplane lift off and begin a left turn. Shortly thereafter, the airplane descended rapidly and struck the ground left wing first. The witness reported that the airplane seemed to roll and become inverted before impact. Approximately three seconds after hitting the ground, the airplane burst into flames.
Accident Location and Wreckage
The airplane came to rest 25 feet south of a severed power pole, which was located about half a mile from the point where the airplane began its takeoff run. An examination of the wreckage revealed no anomalies.
Performance Data
According to the Piper PA-28 Cherokee 235 'B' Pilot Operating Handbook Takeoff Distance versus Density Altitude Chart, the takeoff distance required to clear a 50-foot obstacle for a 2,900-pound gross weight airplane with a density altitude of 6,364 feet msl is approximately 2,550 feet.