N72168

On July 1, 1995, about 1645 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 337G, N72168, piloted by Earnest O. Bower, was substantially damaged during takeoff from a private grass strip, in Brant, New York. The pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. There was no flight plan for the flight conducted under CFR 14 Part 91.

In the NTSB form 6120.1/2, the pilot stated,

Conditions favored takeoff to east. Normal takeoff run. Pilot sneezed, aircraft pitched up [and] rotated prematurely. Decision to abort takeoff. Pilot landed. During roll out, plane suddenly turned 90 degrees left...caused by rock stopping left main wheel. Could not stop before left wing struck power pole.

Additionally, the pilot reported that the winds were from the northwest at 4 knots. At Chautauqua County, Jamestown, New York, about 30 miles to the southwest, the winds were reported from 310 degrees at 8 knots.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector stated in his report:

...[The] accident occurred as Mr. Bower was attempting a takeoff from this unimproved farm field....In [this]...accident, the takeoff was attempted with a tailwind estimated at 8 to 10 knots and field growth of approximately 12 inches....The aircraft struck a utility pole at the east end of the field and crossed a road before stopping. The takeoff run had begun on a mowed strip approximately 1500 feet long at the west end of the field, and ended in an unmowed area approximately 2000 feet long at the east end of the field....

Postaccident examination by the FAA Inspector revealed no anomalies with the engine or airframe.