Incident Summary
During a takeoff from a soft, off-airport site, an airline transport pilot and a hunting client were aboard the airplane. The departure site was a 900-foot long strip covered with mud and gravel. An area of standing water existed near the departure end of the strip.
Pilot Account
The pilot reported that he was able to get the airplane airborne before reaching the standing water. However, as the airplane began to climb, it struck a stand of trees at the departure end of the site.
Aircraft Damage
The collision with trees resulted in structural damage to the wings, fuselage, and horizontal stabilizer. The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane.