Incident Summary
A flight instructor and a private pilot under instruction conducted a local training flight. According to the instructor, the pilots filled the fuel tanks, performed a preflight inspection, taxied to the runway, and completed an engine run-up. During the takeoff roll from a 3,000-foot-long upsloped turf runway, the flaps were set at 10 degrees. The airplane became airborne about one-third of the way down the runway.
After liftoff, the airplane climbed slowly. The flight instructor realized that the airplane would not be able to clear the trees at the end of the runway. The private pilot applied left rudder in an attempt to turn the airplane away from the trees, but the instructor soon took control, recognizing that impact was imminent. The airplane struck the trees approximately 20 feet from their tops, impacted the ground, and came to rest inverted.
Damage
The fuselage, wings, and empennage were substantially damaged during the accident sequence. The flight instructor reported that there were no preexisting mechanical anomalies with the airplane.
Operational Factors
Weight and balance calculations performed after the accident revealed that the airplane was at or slightly over the maximum takeoff weight provided by the manufacturer. Additionally, the owner's manual stated that the best rate of climb was achieved with flaps up and that the use of 10 degrees of flaps was reserved for minimum ground runs or takeoff from soft or rough fields with no obstacles ahead.