Flight History
Prior to the accident flight, the pilot conducted a solo familiarization flight in the same airplane. That flight involved a departure from Runway 6 and concluded without incident. Subsequently, the pilot boarded three passengers for a scenic flight. Before departure, the pilot noted that the wind was from the northwest at about 330 degrees with a speed of 10-12 knots, indicating no clear favor for either runway. The airplane was near its maximum gross weight, and the density altitude at the airport was approximately 4,068 feet above mean sea level. Trees and a house were present at the departure end of the 3,000-foot-long runway.
Takeoff and Stall
The pilot taxied to Runway 24 and, several minutes later, performed a short field takeoff. A witness reported that the winds were from the northeast at the time of departure. As the airplane lifted off, the pilot glanced at the windsock again and realized that the wind was actually favoring Runway 6. Despite this realization, he continued the takeoff. The pilot then attempted to avoid a house, and during this maneuver, the airplane stalled to the left.