Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot attempted to take off on rough uneven terrain and could not attain rotation speed, which resulted in the airplane striking a tree during the ground run. A factor in this accident was inadequate pre flight planning.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
While on a cross-country flight, the pilot exhausted the fuel supply short of reaching the destination airport. The pilot made a successful forced landing in a pasture and then went and bought fuel at the airport. The pilot refueled the airplane with 10 gallons of 100 octane fuel. During the take off run the left wing struck a tree.
Source record
Factual narrative
-