What happened
The pilot, holding an airline transport pilot certificate, operated a positioning flight under the regulations of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The departure occurred from a gravel runway surface. During the initial climb phase after takeoff, the aircraft's cabin pressurization system failed to function.
The investigation
Upon arrival at the destination airport, a detailed inspection of the airframe was conducted. Inspectors discovered that the tail section had dragged along the gravel runway during the takeoff roll. This contact caused significant damage to the exterior structure.
Findings
The physical examination confirmed that the tail strike punctured both the outer skin and the internal pressure vessel of the fuselage. This structural breach directly resulted in the inability to maintain cabin pressurization during flight. The primary causal factor was identified as tail contact with the runway surface during the takeoff phase.