N9515H

On July 31, 2001, about 1115 eastern daylight time, a Fairchild M-62A-3, N9515H, was substantially damaged during takeoff from the Cranland Airport (28M), Hanson, Massachusetts. The certificated private pilot and pilot rated passenger sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight destined for the Plymouth Municipal Airport, Plymouth, Massachusetts. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

The tail-wheel airplane was owned by the private pilot who occupied the front seat. The pilot's son-in-law, who was an airline transport rated pilot was seated in the rear seat.

The airplane was departing from runway 36, a 1,845 foot-long, 60 foot-wide, asphalt runway. A witness stated that as the airplane continued down the runway, the tail-wheel never lifted off the ground. When the airplane was more than three-quarters of the way down the runway, the airplane lifted off the runway to an altitude of about 10 feet. The left wing then dropped and struck the ground. The witness further stated that he had heard the airplane on other occasions, and the engine sounded like it was "running smoothly."

The pilot rated passenger stated that the airplane accelerated normally; however, as the airplane lifted off the runway and climbed "out of ground effect," it rolled rapidly to the left. The passenger assumed control of the airplane; however, the private pilot reduced the engine power to idle. The airplane struck a small tree and came to rest in a ditch, on a cranberry bog.

Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector did not reveal any evidence of any mechanical malfunctions.

The private pilot reported 800 hours of total flight experience, with 200 hours in make and model. His most recent FAA third class medical certificate was issued on May 14, 1996.

Winds reported at an airport 10 miles southeast of 28M, at 1052, were from 330 degrees at 5 knots.