TSB Accident Report
http://www.tsb.gc.ca/en/reports/air/...0/a98o0190.asp
Aviation Occurrence Report
Stall/Collision with Trees on Take-off
Piper PA 28-151 C-GDVL
Espanola West, Ontario
27 July 1998
Report Number A98O0190
Summary
The pilot and three passengers were departing in the Piper PA 28, serial No. 28-7615332, on a visual flight rules (VFR) flight from Espanola West to Ottawa, Ontario. The runway surface was grass on uneven, sandy soil, made soft from recent rain. The pilot made two excursions down the runway before the aircraft became airborne on the third excursion. After the aircraft got airborne, it struck trees to the left of the departure path and crashed into a wooded area. An intense, post-crash, fuel-fed fire immediately broke out which consumed the cabin of the aircraft. One passenger, an infant, perished in the aircraft fire. The pilot and the other two passengers escaped the burning aircraft and were found about 40 feet from the wreckage by ambulance and fire-fighting personnel. They were transported to hospital where they died later from burns.
There was another airport North of Espanola where the runway was sand. Taxy with 3 aboard fully fueled C-172 took considerable revs. Stationary runup was not done to avoid sand ingestion. Started with stick full back and kept nosewheel off sand. Did not accelerate past 40 kt. Lowered nose as recommended in pre-takeoff discussion with local CFI, Bernie Cryderman, and lifted off. No rising terrain and trees cleared considerable distance past runway -- thanks Bernie
The one good thing about sand was that you needed less than 100 yards to abort -- without braking.