Accident Details
The pilot was departing a 2,500-foot long by 50-foot wide turf runway oriented on a northerly heading. According to the pilot, the airplane "became airborne early due to a dip in the runway." He reported experiencing a "slight left crosswind" and "engine torque," after which the airplane began drifting to the left. The left wingtip impacted a tree, and the airplane came to rest in trees on the left side of the runway.
Damage and Inspection
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. Neither the pilot nor a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who examined the airplane after the accident, reported any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies.
Pilot Experience
Details regarding the pilot's experience operating on turf runways, and particularly at the accident airport, could not be obtained despite numerous attempts.
Runway Width Information
In the NTSB Pilot/Operator Accident Report Form, the pilot reported the accident airport's runway width as 50 feet. This was confirmed by analysis of aerial photographs of the airport, which also depicted the distance between trees on either side of the runway as varying between 77 feet and 56 feet. However, records maintained by the FAA listed the runway as 200 feet wide.
Weather Conditions
The nearest weather reporting station, located approximately 16 nautical miles southeast of the accident location, reported winds from 280 degrees at 7 knots around the time of the accident.