Accident Summary
The accident occurred during a short-field takeoff demonstration with a passenger on board. According to the pilot, the aircraft did not accelerate normally after rotation. At approximately 50 feet above ground level, it became apparent that the aircraft would not clear a tree line off the end of the runway. The pilot chose to land on the remaining runway but was unable to stop before the tree line, resulting in a collision with trees.
Pilot Statement
The pilot reported, "The takeoff roll was longer than normal (maybe 200 ft.) which I attributed to our heavy loading (approx. 25 lbs. under max. gross), the rough surface, and perhaps some to the 2220ft. density altitude HTL [Roscommon County Airport] AWOS [Automated Weather Observing System] was reporting." The pilot added, "I went to Vx [best angle-of-climb airspeed] but we were covering a lot of ground and making very little altitude. I checked the tach which showed 2350-2400 rpm which should have been enough to climb. At about 50ft. agl [above ground level] with 70ft. trees ahead, It became obvious we would not clear them. I did not want to go into the trees airborne, I decided to risk the airplane rather than risk serious injury or worse." The pilot then described the maneuver: "I closed the throttle and lowered the nose steeply - - flairing [flaring] at the last second, contacting the ground 130ft. from the tree line."
Performance Reconstruction
After the accident, the pilot consulted the aircraft Pilot Operating Handbook (POH) on downwind takeoff performance. The pilot stated, "Reconstructing the conditions of our situation that day, and figuring an 8kt. tail-wind, the numbers on the performance chart mirrored the performance we experienced." The pilot concluded, "I am certain that we experienced a drastic unexpected wind shift which gave us a tail-wind component."
Aircraft and Conditions
The pilot reported that the aircraft was loaded approximately 25 pounds under maximum gross weight. The density altitude at the airport was 2,220 feet according to the AWOS. The runway surface was described as rough. The pilot estimated an 8-knot tailwind component based on post-accident reconstruction. No further details about the aircraft type, registration, or engine count were provided in the source.