Aircraft Destroyed During Initial Climb After Takeoff from Private Airstrip (N6107P)

Accident Overview and Runway Conditions The aircraft was destroyed on impact with trees and terrain during the initial climb phase following takeoff from a private airstrip. The runway, oriented predominantly north-south, measured approximately 1,600 feet in length. The takeoff was executed to the north. The flight was a ferry operation intended to relocate the aircraft for maintenance. Post-accident examination of the scene revealed no anomalies associated with a preexisting condition of the aircraft. The grass strip runway was found to have grass 3 to 4 inches long. The runway length was independently verified at approximately 0.3 miles by driving its length with an automobile. ## Flight Sequence and Pilot Statement A videotape of the accident flight showed that during the takeoff roll, the aircraft's tail was dragged along the runway twice. After initially becoming airborne, the aircraft settled back onto the runway before becoming airborne again. The airplane then began an increasingly steep bank to the right before contacting trees at the departure end of the runway. In a written statement, the pilot described the sequence: “We took off down runway-900-ft-hit ruts airplane bounced into air-held nose down to build airspeed-ro[t]ated to late hit trees.” The pilot listed no mechanical malfunction in his written report. He also reported his flight experience in this make and model of aircraft as “None.”