Accident Details
The pilot taxied back along runway 15 at a private airstrip before starting the takeoff roll. Runway 15 was 2,442 feet long, 50 feet wide, and consisted of turf with a 90-foot upslope. Witnesses reported that the engine sounded normal during the takeoff, but the airplane did not accelerate and climb as expected. After lifting off, the airplane pitched sharply upward as it approached a tree line, stalled, and collided with a tree. Witnesses further noted that the pilot had initiated the takeoff with a tailwind.
Performance Considerations
A performance chart for the airplane was reviewed. It indicated that a similar takeoff would require 2,150 feet to clear a 50-foot obstacle. However, the chart did not account for the up-sloping turf runway or the presence of a tailwind.
Pilot Experience
The pilot had never flown from this private airstrip prior to the accident flight.