N26774

On August 12, 1995, at 1430 central daylight time, a Beech 36-A36, N26774, was substantially damaged following a collision with trees during an attempted takeoff from a private sod airstrip near McKenzie, Tennessee. The personal flight was being operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot and one passenger received serious injuries, and the other three passengers were not injured.

Witnesses reported that the airplane attempted to depart the 2,200 foot long sod runway to the north. They said that the aircraft only climbed to about 12 feet above the ground during the attempted departure. The aircraft collided with trees on the departure end of the runway.

The nearest weather reporting facility recorded an ambient temperature of 94 degrees, and the wind out of 150 degrees at 5 knots, at the time of the accident. The density altitude at the time of the accident was 2,822 feet.

The aircraft weight at the time of the accident is estimated to be approximately 3,772 pounds.(See Federal Aviation Inspector's Statement Attached to this Report.) The maximum gross weight for takeoff for the Beech BE-36-A36 is listed as 3,650 pounds.

With the density altitude, downwind takeoff condition, and aircraft weight of the flight, the aircraft Pilot's Operating Handbook shows the required takeoff distance to clear a 50 foot obstacle to be in excess of 3,000 feet.

The pilot failed to complete a Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2, when requested to do so.