Accident Description
A turbine-powered, wheel/ski-equipped airplane experienced an accident during takeoff from an area of snow-covered terrain. The captain reported that during the takeoff run, as the airplane neared 70 knots, he moved the control column aft in an attempt to lower the tail and attain a flying attitude. Just before the airplane became airborne, the right wing lifted and the left wing struck the snow-covered terrain, which pivoted the airplane 90 degrees to the left.
Damage and Landing Gear
Both main landing gear assemblies collapsed during the event, and the airplane came to rest on its belly. Substantial damage was sustained to the left wing and fuselage.
First Officer's Account
The first officer reported that during the takeoff run, as the airplane neared 60 knots and as the captain moved the control column aft, she felt the airplane's tailwheel contact the hard packed snow. The first officer noted that other captains she had flown with usually attain a higher airspeed before becoming airborne.
Cockpit Voice Recorder
The cockpit voice recorder revealed that the highest airspeed the first officer called out during the takeoff run was 60 knots, about 3 to 5 seconds prior to the crash.
Investigation
No probable cause was explicitly stated in the source material. The investigation focused on the events described by the flight crew and recorded data.