Accident Details
A pilot reported that he completed a normal landing to the south at a grass airstrip near a lake, surrounded by 75-ft tall pine trees. After landing, he and his passengers ate lunch at the airstrip. During that time, he observed "mostly calm" wind with an "occasional gust from the south." Due to the runway gradient, he decided to take off downhill to the north, noting that the wind sock indicated calm wind.
Takeoff and Descent
During the soft field takeoff, the pilot reported that the takeoff roll was normal. However, about 100 ft above ground, he noticed that the "climb had slowed" and the "airspeed was dropping." He lowered the nose, causing the airplane to "descend quickly" and touch down on the runway with about 30 ft remaining. The airplane then overran the runway, crossed a road, and impacted a dumpster and trees. Both wings and the fuselage sustained substantial damage.
Aircraft Weight and Mechanical Condition
The pilot reported that the airplane was 25 lbs under maximum gross weight. He did not report any preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
Weather and Density Altitude
An automated weather observation station (AWOS), about 13 nautical miles from the accident site, reported wind from 240° at 6 knots around the time of the accident. Four hourly AWOS observations south and east of the accident site recorded wind variable from southwest to westerly, at 5 to 10 knots, gusting 15 to 18 knots. The pilot reported the takeoff was on runway 33. The calculated density altitude was 3,700 ft. According to the Federal Aviation Administration density altitude Koch Chart, the airplane would have likely experienced a 32% decrease to the normal climb rate and a 50% increase to the normal takeoff distance.
Wind Obstruction Considerations
The Federal Aviation Administration's Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (FAA-H-8083-25B) notes that ground obstructions affect wind flow and can create wind gusts that change rapidly in direction and speed. These obstructions range from man-made structures to natural obstructions such as mountains, bluffs, or canyons. The intensity of turbulence depends on the obstacle size and primary wind velocity, which can affect takeoff and landing performance.