Incident Overview
During takeoff from a dirt airstrip, the airplane collided with power lines as it attempted to climb. The pilot stated that during the takeoff roll, the airplane required a longer distance than normal to lift off.
Pilot Actions
After rotation, the pilot maintained a nose-high attitude in an effort to climb. However, the landing gear was not retracted. The airplane remained in ground effect and was unable to gain altitude. It subsequently struck a set of utility lines located at the end of the runway.
Environmental Conditions
The density altitude was calculated to be 6,167 feet. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the engine or airframe.