Accident
On June 6, 2012, at approximately 1300 central daylight time, a Beech 35-A33 (registration N334Z) operated by KCN Aero Club Inc. of Kansas City, Missouri, was substantially damaged when it collided with a fence after takeoff from runway 17 at Gardner Municipal Airport (K34) in Gardner, Kansas. The airline transport rated pilot and the airline transport rated passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight was conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
Flight Details
The flight was intended to train and familiarize an aero club member in the club-owned Beech 35-A33. After about 1.2 hours of uneventful local flying, the airplane landed and was refueled. Following a successful runup with no anomalies noted, the pilot set up to demonstrate a soft field takeoff from the 3,237-foot long grass runway. As the airplane lifted into ground effect, the pilot thought the acceleration was not as expected. As the airplane continued, the pilot knew it would not clear a fence near the departure end of the runway. The airplane collided with the fence and came to rest in a pasture, resulting in substantial damage to the wings.
Investigation
Examination of the airframe and engine after the accident found no evidence of mechanical malfunction or abnormalities that could explain the pilot's report of diminished performance during takeoff. The pilot reported that the airplane was operating normally during the earlier flight and during the preflight runup just prior to takeoff.
Weather
The takeoff was to the south (heading 170 degrees). The pilot reported the wind was variable from 090 to 110 degrees at 8 to 10 knots. The automated weather report from New Century Airport (IXD), located 3 miles from the accident site, indicated wind from 120 degrees at 6 knots. The airport manager of K34 reported that he did not witness the accident. He was in his office when he received a phone call from the tower chief at New Century (IXD) asking if he knew of an airplane off the runway. Just before the call, he heard that another aircraft had taken off from runway 8 at Johnson County Executive Airport (OJC), located 11 miles east of K34. He thought this unusual because the wind had been out of the south. He then checked the windsock at K34, which showed wind from the north-northeast. He estimated seeing the windsock about 5 to 10 minutes before receiving the call.
Pilot Recommendations
On the submitted NTSB Form 6120, Recommendation Section, the pilot stated that if the airplane was not performing as expected, for any reason, the takeoff should be aborted as soon as there was an indication of abnormal performance.