Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from a fence during takeoff.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot stated that he had erected barbed wire fences on both sides of his private airstrip to keep cows off the runway. During takeoff, he veered left and struck the fence. The airplane nosed over, resulting in substantial damage to the wings and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.