N6043T

On August 12, 1997, about 1120 eastern daylight time, a Beech 77, N6043T, registered to Tarheel Aviation, Inc., crashed shortly after takeoff from Flying W Airport, Pink Hill, North Carolina, while on a Title 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft received substantial damage and the commercial-rated flight instructor received minor injuries. The dual student received serious injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The flight instructor stated the flight originally departed Albert J. Ellis Airport, Jacksonville, North Carolina. After departure they practiced some takeoffs and landings at Ellis Airport. They then flew to the Flying W Airport, where the dual student lives, and performed a low fly-by of the airport. They flew around the airport to perform a second low fly-by, at which time the dual-student elected to land. They stopped for a few minutes and reviewed the performance charts in the Pilot Operating Handbook. They determined they should be able to depart from the Flying W Airport with some margin for error.

The instructor stated the dual student performed a short/soft field takeoff on runway 13. The aircraft lifted off after using a reasonable amount of runway and began to climb. They crossed over a highway at the end of runway at an altitude of about 20 feet. As they continued to climb it appeared they would not clear trees directly ahead. They saw a lower section of trees at their 10 o'clock position and the student turned the aircraft toward them. The instructor noticed the airspeed was about 60 knots as the dual student initiated the turn. The instructor then diverted his attention toward the trees. Within a couple of seconds the nose felt as though it broke in a stall and then the aircraft continued nose down toward the ground. The aircraft felt as though it hit on the left main and nose gears and then on the right main gear. The aircraft then flipped onto its top. He stated they did not have any mechanical malfunctions with the aircraft.