Overview
An aircraft on a takeoff from runway 27, with 8,500 feet available, became airborne within 2,000 feet. The Pilot's Operating Handbook and FAA Approved Airplane Flight Manual (POH/AFM) indicated that, under the existing conditions, the total distance to clear a 50-foot obstacle was 2,250 feet. The pilot climbed at blue-line airspeed and kept the landing gear retracted until insufficient runway remained to land at 50 feet above ground level.
Flight and Climb Performance
The air traffic controller reported that the airplane was climbing "very slow." No loss of engine power was reported to the controller, nor was smoke observed trailing from the engines during takeoff. The pilot stated that when the landing gear was retracted, the engine sound decreased and the airplane did not seem to be accelerating. However, this was not indicated on the engine gauges, nor was there any yaw, so the pilot did not check for an engine failure. The pilot confirmed that the throttle, mixture, and propeller controls were full forward.
Accident Sequence
Shortly after gear retraction, the pilot heard the stall warning horn and pitched down to maintain blue-line airspeed. The pilot considered returning to the departure airport but lost altitude during a turn. The landing gear was lowered, the aircraft flew under powerlines, and it impacted a field in a wings-level attitude. All occupants exited the aircraft, which was destroyed by a postcrash fire.
Post-Accident Examination
Examination of the engines after recovery revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction. Postcrash fire damage prevented bench or operational testing of engine accessories and controls. Preflight fueling records showed that the main fuel tanks were filled before takeoff, and a sample of fuel from the truck that fueled the accident aircraft met specifications for 100 Low Lead fuel. An engine run-up performed before takeoff by the pilot-rated passenger in the left front seat showed a magneto drop of approximately 75 rpm.