Accident Overview
A private pilot lost control of a single-engine airplane shortly after takeoff from a 2,200-foot long turf runway. The pilot, who held a private certificate and had 245 hours of total flight experience, reported that after liftoff, the airspeed was approximately 65 miles per hour and the rate of climb was about 200 feet per minute.
Sequence of Events
According to the pilot's statement, after becoming airborne, he maintained back pressure on the yoke until the airplane cleared the treetops on his side at an altitude of approximately 50 feet above ground level. He then noticed the airspeed beginning to decay and released back pressure on the yoke. Subsequently, the airplane continued to descend in a nose-high attitude until it impacted terrain.
The accident occurred in daylight conditions. No information was provided regarding injuries, damage to the airplane, or the specific aircraft type, registration, or operator. The weather conditions were not described in the source.
Investigation
The accident investigation focused on the pilot's account of the flight. The pilot's actions after noticing the airspeed decay—releasing back pressure—did not prevent the airplane from continuing its descent and impacting the ground. The runway length, surface type (turf), and the airplane's climb performance were documented but no causal factors were identified in the source.