What happened
During a takeoff attempt from the Jim Finlay Farm Airstrip, the pilot encountered difficulties with the aircraft's performance. The pilot noted that the airplane experienced a period of hesitation during the initial takeoff roll, which was attributed to the combination of the grass surface of the departure strip and the increased weight of the passengers on board.
In an attempt to compensate for this hesitation, the pilot applied additional engine power at the point of rotation. However, this resulted in the left engine accelerating at a faster rate than the right engine. This imbalance caused an adverse yaw to the right, directing the aircraft toward the edge of the runway. The aircraft subsequently struck trees located along the right side of the airstrip. The impact with the trees and the terrain caused substantial damage to the airframe.
Findings
- The pilot reported that there were no mechanical issues present that would have hindered the normal operation of the aircraft.
- The primary factor in the loss of directional control was the asymmetric acceleration of the engines during the rotation phase.