CEN11CA486

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that the airplane did not gain enough altitude on takeoff to clear powerlines near the end of the runway. He banked the airplane to the left and made a hard landing in grass, which resulted in substantial damage to the firewall, lower forward fuselage, and rudder. The takeoff was made to the north with a slight quartering tailwind on an up-sloping runway. The field elevation was approximately 755 feet, with an outside temperature of 86 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point of 68 degrees Fahrenheit, and a barometric pressure of 30.07 inches of Mercury resulting in a density altitude of approximately 2,778 feet. The airplane was powered by a 65 horsepower engine and the pilot calculated the gross weight of the airplane to be near the maximum gross weight. The pilot reported there were no mechanical failures/malfunctions with the airplane prior to the accident. According to the pilot, during departure with a slight, quartering tailwind, the airplane did not continue climbing or gain altitude due to the high density altitude. The airplane started to descend and he realized that he would not clear the powerlines at the end of the runway, so he banked the airplane to the left and made a hard landing in the grass which resulted in substantial damage to the firewall, lower forward fuselage, and rudder. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

• C Personnel issues-Task performance-Planning/preparation-Performance calculations-Pilot - C
• — Environmental issues-Operating environment-Airport facilities/design-Runway/landing area condition-Effect on operation
• — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Tailwind-Effect on operation
• — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Temp/humidity/pressure-High density altitude-Effect on operation