N735C

On October 14, 2001, at 1103 Pacific daylight time, a Stinson 108-3, N735C, collided with terrain during an attempted takeoff from the Ancient Valley Airstrip near Rosamond, California. The owner was operating the airplane on a personal cross-country flight under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot sustained minor injuries, and one passenger was not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed.

The pilot reported that the airplane did not develop sufficient airspeed during the takeoff roll. At the decision point, the pilot noticed a berm that was 2-feet high at the end of the runway. He felt that he did not have enough room to stop so he proceeded at full power and "jerked" the airplane into the air. The airplane started to sink, he closed the throttle, and applied full aft elevator. The airplane stalled about 2 feet above the ground and rolled about 20 feet. The right main gear struck a bush and sheared off. The airplane came to rest inverted and was consumed by post impact fire.

A witness stated in a telephone interview that the pilot had recently purchased the airplane. The witness observed the takeoff. He stated that when the airplane was about halfway down the runway, the tail was on the ground. At almost full airstrip length, one of the main gear went through dirt, the nose hit the ground, and the right main gear broke on ground impact. The pilot told the witness that the airplane "didn't seem to make as much power as he thought it should." The witness further stated that he purchased the engine from the accident airplane, and the camshaft was found to have a disintegrated bearing when it was disassembled.