Accident Details
The airplane, operating on a non-scheduled domestic cargo flight, was destroyed on impact with a fence and levee after taking off from runway 21. According to the pilot, approximately 10 seconds after liftoff, the aircraft began to descend, striking the levee at the end of the runway, then skidding over and coming to rest on the other side. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane.
Air Traffic Control Observations
The air traffic controller on duty reported that winds were from 310 degrees at 6 knots. The controller observed the aircraft backtaxi to the taxiway Golf intersection of runway 21, turn around, and commence the departure roll. The aircraft was observed rotating abeam the high-speed taxiway.
Pilot Information
The pilot held private pilot privileges for single-engine land airplanes. About two months prior to the accident, the pilot passed an FAA Airman Competency/Proficiency Check in the same make and model single-engine airplane and was found satisfactory in the examined flight maneuvers.
Weight and Performance Calculations
The airplane had accumulated 0.1 hour since its 100-hour inspection. The pilot reported the cargo weight as approximately 350 pounds and calculated a takeoff weight of about 2,974 pounds. After the accident, the cargo was removed from the wreckage and weighed 608 pounds. The post-accident calculated weight for the flight was 3,575 pounds. The airplane's maximum gross weight was 3,600 pounds. The calculated takeoff ground roll distance for the flight was 2,200 feet, and the calculated takeoff distance over a 50-foot obstacle was 4,000 feet. The runway distance available at intersection Golf on runway 21 was approximately 4,350 feet. Remarks for runway 3/21 listed a railroad, levee, and displaced thresholds. Using the air traffic controller's reported winds, the calculated tailwind component on runway 21 was 1 knot, and the calculated headwind component for runway 3 was 1 knot.
Wreckage Examination
Examination of the wreckage did not reveal any pre-impact anomalies.