Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's inadequate planning/decision to take off with the presence of a tailwind.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot told an FAA safety inspector he elected to take off downwind on runway 27 because the runway slopes down in that direction. He said the tailwind was 2 to 5 knots but that after takeoff, while in ground effect, the wind picked up and the airplane would not clear the trees at the end of the runway.
Source record
Factual narrative
On Saturday, February 12, 1994, at 1430 hours eastern standard time, a Cessna 120, N1626V, collided with a tree during takeoff climb near Chittenango, New York. The certificated private pilot received minor injuries and his passenger received serious injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The local personal flight was being operated by the pilot/owner when the accident occurred. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. An FAA safety inspector interviewed the pilot after the accident. The pilot told the inspector that he elected to takeoff on runway 27 from a private airstrip. He said he performed the takeoff downwind because he would have a greater distance for his takeoff and that he would be going downhill on the takeoff. The wind at the time of takeoff was reported to be from 060 degrees magnetic at 9 nautical miles per hour. The pilot stated the airplane lifted off from the runway during the takeoff,"the wind picked up" and it could not gain enough airspeed or altitude to get out of ground effect. The pilot said "ski caught in tree flipping aircraft on its back." -