Primary finding
Probable cause
the pilot's inadequate preflight planning and preparation. Factors associated with the accident are the snow covered/drifted runway, and a fence.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported he landed on the north/south oriented runway at the private, snow covered sod airstrip, but elected to takeoff on the east/west sod runway because it appeared to have less snow. During the takeoff roll, the pilot said the landing gear encountered drifted snow which slowed the airplane. The pilot continued the takeoff run, and the airplane became airborne near the end of the 2,400' runway. The airplane struck a fence shortly after liftoff and crashed.
Source record
Factual narrative
On January 21, 1995, about 1530 central standard time, a Cessna 150F airplane, N8981S, sustained substantial damage when it collided with a fence shortly after liftoff from a snow covered private airstrip located near Castlewood, South Dakota. The solo commercial pilot reported no injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, no flight plan was filed. The flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91, and the intended destination was Valley City, North Dakota. The pilot wrote in his report to the NTSB that he landed on the North/South section of the private airstrip, but elected to depart on the East/West runway because it appeared to have less snow covering. During the takeoff roll, the pilot said that the airplane's landing gear encountered snow drifts which slowed its acceleration. The airplane lifted off near the end of the runway, struck a fence with its elevator, and crashed. -