Accident Summary
On September 4, 2015, at about 1050 eastern daylight time, a Beech V35B, registration N789WF, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain and an airport perimeter fence during takeoff from Wilmington International Airport (ILM), Wilmington, North Carolina. The pilot and two passengers were not injured; one passenger sustained a minor injury. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and the flight was conducted under instrument flight rules on a personal flight destined for Gainesville Regional Airport, Florida.
According to the air traffic control tower manager, the airplane began its takeoff roll from runway 06. When it reached the intersection of runways 06 and 35, the nose wheel and right main landing gear lifted, and the airplane immediately turned left. It bounced three or four times across the infield north of the intersection before hitting the perimeter fence about 2,000 feet beyond where it left the runway and 1,000 feet left of the runway centerline.
The pilot reported that the airplane reached rotation speed of 73 knots and lifted off, then the nose abruptly went past 10 degrees and the airplane shuddered as it veered left. At about 30 feet above ground, the pilot felt a loss of power and a stall before impact. A passenger seated behind the pilot stated the plane seemed to take off normally, then at 30-40 feet it lost momentum and a horn or buzzer sounded.
Aircraft Information
The single-engine, low-wing, retractable landing gear, 6-place airplane was manufactured in 1976. It was equipped with a Continental Motors 285-horsepower reciprocating engine and Brittain wingtip-mounted auxiliary fuel tanks. With empty wingtip tanks, maximum gross weight was 3,400 pounds and center-of-gravity (CG) range 82.1 to 84.4 inches aft of datum. Full wingtip tanks increased max gross weight to 3,600 pounds and reduced CG range to 82.1 to 83.8 inches aft of datum. Manufacturer's recommended elevator trim setting at takeoff was zero degrees (neutral). The most recent annual inspection was completed on May 31, 2015, at 5,745 total aircraft hours.
Pilot Information
The pilot held a private pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single engine land and instrument airplane. His most recent FAA third-class medical certificate was issued July 22, 2015. He reported 397 total flight hours, including 34 hours in the accident airplane make and model.
Weight and Balance
The pilot stated the airplane was full of fuel and that he had performed quick weight and balance calculations, finding the airplane "okay." He reported no luggage but later mentioned "a couple of suitcases" in the baggage area. Post-accident photographs showed the pilot standing among several full-sized roll-aboard and duffel-style suitcases; airport operations reported six suitcases off-loaded from the airplane.
Estimated weight and balance calculations using the aircraft's delivery documents, full main tanks, four occupants at 200 pounds each (though actual occupant weights not stated), and 100 pounds of luggage yielded a takeoff weight of 3,737.7 pounds and CG of 86.24 inches aft of datum. With full wingtip tanks, weight was 3,937.7 pounds and CG 85.66 inches aft of datum, both exceeding maximum allowable limits and the aft CG limit.
Wreckage Examination
Examination by FAA inspectors at the scene found the airplane upright on its two main landing gear and nose, with the nose gear separated. The tail section, minus the tailcone, rested on the perimeter fence; the tailcone was located about 500 feet prior to the main wreckage. Photographs showed substantial damage to wings and fuselage at wing attach points. Elevator trim was measured at 6 degrees nose-up, contrary to the recommended zero-degree setting.