Introduction
A flight instructor and a pilot were conducting a mountainous backcountry familiarization training flight. The takeoff occurred at a high-altitude airstrip with an elevation of 6,370 feet. The field was wet, prompting the crew to taxi approximately 1,000 feet down the runway before beginning the takeoff roll.
Flight Details
During the takeoff, the aircraft became airborne near the end of the runway. In the initial climb, the pilot abruptly pulled back on the yoke, causing the nose to pitch up and obstructing the forward view. The flight instructor instructed the pilot to lower the nose to build airspeed and restore visual reference. As the pilot lowered the nose, the left wing impacted a tree.
After the impact, the crew assessed the damage and controllability of the aircraft. They decided to continue the flight to their destination airport, as they did not want to perform unnecessary maneuvering and were already en route. During cruise flight, the instructor noted a slight "pulling" to the left and observed visual damage to the left wing. The aircraft landed at the destination airport without further incident.
Postaccident Findings
A postaccident examination revealed substantial damage to the left wing and aileron. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. A subsequent mechanical inspection by the pilot's mechanic found a 20/80 compression reading on the No. 3 cylinder. A representative from the engine manufacturer stated that the power loss due to this low compression would have been negligible, and that the compression test was invalid because it was conducted on a cold engine. A copy of the relevant service bulletin on differential pressure testing and borescope inspection was included in the public docket.