Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's delay in aborting the takeoff. The tailwind was a related factor.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot elected to takeoff downhill and downwind. When he realized that the airplane would not become airborne before reaching the end of the airstrip, he aborted the takeoff. The airplane struck brush at the end of the airstrip, sheared the main gear, spun around, and crashed into trees tail first.
Source record
Factual narrative
On July 16, 1995, at 1600 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna 150 airplane, N1134M, registered to and operated by the pilot, crashed into the brush/trees at Tolovana Hot Springs, Alaska, located 27 nautical miles northwest of Nenana, Alaska. The personal flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, was departing Tolovana Hot Springs, and the destination was Chena Marina in Fairbanks, Alaska. No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured and the airplane was substantially damaged. According to the pilot, he elected to takeoff downwind and downhill. He realized during the takeoff run that he would not get airborne so he aborted the takeoff. The airplane ran into the brush at the end of the runway. The main landing gear separated from the airplane, the airplane spun around, and went tail first into the trees. -