What happened
During an intersection takeoff with 4,100 feet of usable runway remaining, the pilot advanced the throttle to half full before applying full throttle once the takeoff roll had initiated. During the roll, the aircraft did not perform as expected; the pilot noted that the nose gradually lifted off the runway, but the anticipated liftoff and climbout power were absent.
Realizing the airplane would not safely become airborne, the pilot aborted the takeoff. Although the pilot applied the brakes, the aircraft's speed was sufficient to carry it off the end of the runway. As the aircraft traveled over a 10-foot drop-off, the pilot managed to avoid obstacles but guided the plane into a 7-foot tall tree, which struck the right wing.
The investigation
An examination of the wreckage revealed no mechanical anomalies. Calculations based on the Pilot's Operating Handbook for a 3,600 pound airplane under the prevailing conditions—60 degrees Fahrenheit, 6,800 feet MSL pressure altitude, and a 5-knot headwind—were reviewed. For a takeoff with 25-degree flaps, the estimated ground roll was approximately 1,950 feet, while a flaps-up configuration under the same conditions would have required approximately 2,790 feet.