Introduction
A 238-hour private pilot and three passengers attempted to depart from a 1,900-foot private grass airstrip in a vintage single-engine airplane. The 1951-vintage fabric-covered aircraft was equipped with a 125-horsepower engine and was not fitted with a stall warning indicator. The estimated weight at departure was near the maximum takeoff weight of 1,800 pounds.
Departure
The pilot elected to depart on a northerly heading to take advantage of a very light headwind, despite being aware of tall trees at the departure end of the runway. During the takeoff roll, the pilot extended the flaps to the first notch as the airplane accelerated through 60 mph. Rotation was performed at 60 mph, and the airplane appeared to initiate a climb.
Accident Sequence
Shortly after takeoff, the airplane encountered what the pilot described as "sinking air" and began to settle into the tall trees located near the departure end of the airstrip. The airplane came to rest in the trees. There was no post-crash fire, and the pilot and passengers were able to egress the airplane unassisted.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The pilot reported no anomalies with the airplane's flight controls or engine. He further stated that he should have physically measured the field length and calculated the density altitude on paper instead of doing it mentally.
Environmental Conditions
The weather observation facility located about seven nautical miles southeast of the accident site reported calm winds. The field elevation at the airstrip was approximately 1,073 feet, and the density altitude was calculated at 3,122 feet.