Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's decision to rotate early, the airplane’s subsequent inability to climb, and the pilot’s delayed decision to abort the takeoff.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
While departing from a private airstrip for an aerial application flight, the pilot rotated the airplane for takeoff early to avoid ground equipment that was located off the end of the runway. However, the pilot stated that he “bled off too much energy too early,” and the airplane settled back onto the runway. The pilot aborted the takeoff, but the airplane was traveling too fast to stop on the runway. The pilot tried to maneuver the airplane to avoid the obstacles, but the airplane collided with the obstacles and terrain, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage and wings.
Source record
Factual narrative
While departing a private airstrip, the pilot rotated the airplane for takeoff early in order to avoid ground equipment near the end of the runway. As a result, the airplane did not climb and settled back to the runway. The airplane would not become airborne so the pilot aborted the takeoff. However, the airplane was traveling too fast to stop on the runway. The pilot maneuvered the airplane to avoid the parked vehicles, but collided with obstacles and terrain resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage and wings.