What happened
On July 5, 2011, a Stinson 108-2, registration N9351K, was involved in an accident at Columbia Airport (O22) in Columbia, California. The aircraft was being flown on a contract delivery mission from Southern California to Alaska.
Prior to the flight, the pilot noted the presence of water in the fuel tanks and performed multiple samples to ensure the fuel was clear. After an uneventful first leg of the trip, the aircraft was refueled at Columbia Airport. Although other aircraft were departing on runway 17, the pilot elected to use runway 35 based on his observation of the windsock and local weather broadcasts, which suggested light winds from the north.
During the takeoff roll, the pilot used one notch of flaps. The pilot reported that the takeoff appeared normal until the aircraft reached the end of the runway, at which point the climb performance deteriorated. The aircraft was unable to clear obstacles, subsequently impacting trees and terrain approximately 1,600 feet beyond the runway end. A fire broke out immediately following the impact, consuming much of the airframe and the onboard baggage. The pilot and passenger sustained 2 minor injuries and were able to exit the aircraft.
The investigation
Investigators examined the wreckage, which had been separated into eight major segments due to the impact and recovery process. The fire had heavily damaged the airframe, and the inboard section of the left wing was missing, likely consumed by the fire.
Mechanical examination of the 6-cylinder Franklin engine showed that the propeller blades were bent approximately 90 degrees. While the engine remained attached to the mount, the carburetor and magnetos sustained significant fire damage. A compression check performed on the engine revealed that cylinders 1 and 2 had 0 psi, while cylinders 3, 4, and 5 showed 25 psi. It could not be determined if these compression deficiencies were pre-existing or caused by the post-impact fire.
Regarding performance, the investigation noted that the density altitude at the time of takeoff was approximately 4,863 feet. While the aircraft's published performance data suggested that takeoff and continued flight should have been possible, the investigation could not account for the specific effects of the runway slope, the pilot's chosen climb speed, the flap setting, or the exact weight of the aircraft.