Accident Summary
On April 14, 2011, at 0820 eastern daylight time, a Beech D-45 (T-34B), registration N93013, operated by an individual under 14 CFR Part 91, impacted terrain during takeoff from a private grass strip in Linden, North Carolina. The aircraft was owned by the United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Federal Excess Personal Property Program. The pilot and passenger were not injured, and the aircraft incurred substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed; no flight plan was filed.
Flight History
The pilot reported he was asked to fly the donated airplane to a museum in New York. On April 7, 2011, he flew the airplane from Kinston, North Carolina, to his private airstrip in Linden. On the morning of April 14, weather conditions were favorable: temperature around 60 degrees, sun shining, no wind. The pilot conducted a preflight inspection, noting each wing fuel tank was about two-thirds full. The engine ground run-up was unremarkable. The pilot positioned the airplane with the nose toward the northwest to utilize the entire 3,000-foot grass strip, which was wet with morning dew. He advanced the power and noted the target rpm as the airplane rolled down the strip. He recalled rotating at about 50 to 60 knots. The passenger believed that about two-thirds down the runway, the airplane was 10 to 12 feet above the ground. At that time, the landing gear doors were heard closing after retraction was selected. The airplane reached about 50 feet altitude, but both pilot and passenger felt it was not gaining speed or altitude. The airplane began to descend and shortly after impacted the ground, tree debris, and a tree stump. The pilot secured the airplane, and both exited, noting a strong smell of aviation fuel.
Wreckage Examination
The responding FAA inspector stated the airplane came to rest upright with landing gear and flaps up, about 1,000 feet from the end of the grass strip. The wreckage energy path went through tree stumps and downed tree debris. The empennage separated from the fuselage and came to rest behind the left wing, oriented in the same direction as the airplane. The wings had dents in the leading edge, and a large gash on the left side of the airplane began at the rear baggage door to the end of the fuselage. Both propeller blades were curled, indicative of power applied at impact. The northwest end of the grass strip was cleared to provide a clearway. The inspector's examination did not reveal any evidence that would have prevented normal operation of the airplane or its systems.
Performance Considerations
A review of the airplane's flight manual, Section III, Normal Procedures, references "Minimum run takeoff… to use 75 percent of flaps." Section XI, Performance Data, "Takeoff Distance" references pilot technique, variables to consider, and checking performance graph charts for proper settings and indications for takeoff. The manual performance charts reference hard surface runways; no reference for soft (grass strip) field takeoff calculations is mentioned. The pilot did not mention performing any calculation for the grass strip conditions prior to takeoff. This accident flight was the pilot's first departure with that airplane from his grass strip.
Pilot Information
The pilot held a commercial pilot certificate for airplane single-engine and multiengine land, and an instrument rating. His most recent medical certificate was issued on January 24, 2011. He reported 7,800 total flight hours, of which 150 were in the same make and model as the accident airplane.
Probable Cause
Not determined; no probable cause was stated by the investigation source.