Accident Details
The accident occurred during takeoff from a turf runway measuring 1800 feet in length. The runway sloped upward and had power lines at the departure end as an obstruction. The airplane departed to the north, contrary to the pilot's usual practice of taking off to the south. The pilot cited a tailwind as the reason for choosing the north direction.
Sequence of Events
As the airplane began to climb after rotation, the landing gear contacted the power lines. Subsequently, the airplane fell to the ground, caught fire, and was consumed by the flames.
Pilot's Account
The pilot stated that the airplane did not accelerate as expected during the takeoff run. He acknowledged that he should have aborted the takeoff but delayed the decision. The pilot reported rotating at an airspeed too low to clear the power lines, resulting in the wire strike and the airplane entering trees. He informed the FAA that there were no engine problems.