NYC87LA190

Factual narrative

THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO TAKEOFF FROM A 2130 FT GRASS STRIP ON A RELATIVELY HOT & HUMID DAY WITH AN AIR TEMP OF 85 DEG. ABOUT 2/3 OF THE WAY DOWN THE RWY, HE ROTATED THE ACFT TO TAKEOFF, BUT IT WOULD NOT CLIMB SUFFICIENTLY TO CLEAR A HILL BEYOND THE ARPT BOUNDRY. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN, RAN INTO THE TREES & WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. ABOUT 1-1/2 HRS LATER, THE OPERATOR CAME TO THE ACFT. WHILE DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY, SPARKS IGNITED LEAKING FUEL & THE ACFT WAS FURTHER DAMAGED BY FIRE. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12