Incident Discovery
Airport personnel observed that an airport sign was down, with tire tracks leading to the sign. A wing step was found near the sign. The tire marks continued on the grass and tracked back to the runway. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a notice that they were searching for an airplane with a damaged step.
Aircraft Location
The airplane was found at the Marion County Airport in Dunnellon, Florida. The FAA subsequently located the pilot and owner.
Pilot Statement
The pilot stated that during the takeoff roll, the nosewheel lifted off the runway, but the engine lost manifold pressure, and the airplane departed the side of the runway. According to the pilot, "...on takeoff, we experienced a brief loss of power...a drop in airspeed and a cross wind caused aircraft to blow to the left of runway...aircraft began to stall, upon lowering of nose to prevent stall/crash-we struck runway sign...we did not know that aircraft was damaged until 30 minutes into flight..."
FAA Report
According to the FAA's report, the pilot-in-command, while attempting a takeoff on runway 07, about 1,000 feet down the runway, the airplane departed the runway surface on the north side, striking an information sign. The pilot then continued the takeoff and landed at Dunnellon, Florida.