Accident Summary
Witnesses reported that the aircraft took off prematurely and over-rotated to a nose-high attitude. Shortly after, the aircraft struck the ground tail first, then the nose. It veered off the side of the runway and came to rest on a taxiway. Winds at the time were calm.
Pilot Report
The pilot informed a witness that he stalled during takeoff. He stated that before the accident, the aircraft had a dead battery and required external power for startup. During the startup process, the autopilot cycled twice. The pilot performed a normal run-up and trimmed the aircraft for takeoff. He said that at 62 knots, the autopilot moved the pitch trim to the full nose-up position, causing the aircraft to pitch prematurely to a nose-high attitude and lift off. The pilot then retracted the landing gear. Subsequently, the left wing dropped and the airplane settled back to the ground.
Post-Accident Findings
Immediately after the accident, the elevator trim tab and the cockpit elevator trim indicator were found in the full nose-up trim positions.
Manufacturer Information
According to the autopilot manufacturer, the pitch servo capstans are designed with a clutch that slips at 25 pounds of control wheel force. Flight test data supplied by Piper indicates that the control wheel force required to maintain 62-knot speed at full trim tab deflection is less than 40 pounds.