Accident Details
At 1815 central standard time on February 28, 2018, a Beech 77 (registration N6699B) impacted terrain during the initial climb after departing from runway 29 at Odessa Airport-Schlemeyer Field (ODO), Odessa, Texas. The private pilot, operating under 14 CFR Part 91 for a personal local flight intended for touch-and-go landings, sustained minor injuries. The airplane, registered to an individual and operated by another, was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed; no flight plan was filed.
Aircraft Information
The Beech 77 was owned by an individual who allowed the pilot to fly the airplane in hopes of a sale. The last annual inspection had been completed in 2016. The pilot and the airplane owner performed a preflight inspection, which included checking fuel and oil. The pilot reviewed the Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH) to familiarize himself with the airplane. During the takeoff roll, the pilot rotated at 49 knots indicated airspeed (KIAS), though the POH specified a rotation speed of 56 knots. After lift-off, the pilot noticed a decrease in acceleration and power. He lowered the nose to increase airspeed, but upon reaching the departure end of the runway, the stall warning horn sounded. With no remaining runway and a densely populated area ahead, the pilot executed a slight right bank to remain over the airport. The stall warning horn sounded again, and the airplane descended rapidly.
Pilot Account
The pilot stated that he had no prior flight experience in the Beech 77. He noted that he was unsure how the accident could have been prevented other than not flying at night or aborting the takeoff earlier. He also reported that the airplane's engine ran smoothly during start-up, taxi, and run-up, with no issues.
Examination Findings
Post-accident examination revealed the wing flaps were fully retracted. One propeller blade exhibited leading edge gouges and S-shaped bending; the other showed chordwise scratching and an inboard curl of the tip. No determination could be made regarding any reduction in engine power. The POH indicated the bottom of the airspeed indicator was 54 KIAS, and the takeoff rotation speed was 56 knots.
Performance Data
With an airport elevation of approximately 3,004 feet, the pressure altitude was calculated at 3,107 feet given an altimeter setting of 29.81 inHg and outside air temperature of 19°C. The wind was recorded at 320° at 14 knots, providing a 12-knot headwind for runway 29. At the maximum takeoff weight of 1,675 lbs, the POH takeoff distance chart indicated a ground roll of 900 feet and a distance over a 50-foot obstacle of 1,350 feet.