Amateur-built 320 N686KB accident near Adelanto, California

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a fence during takeoff initial climb. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to not use all of the runway distance available for takeoff and the high density altitude.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that he only used the 1,300-foot asphalt portion of the 5,100-foot runway because the dirt portion of the runway was rough and contained loose rocks. During takeoff from the asphalt surface, which was the area closest to the departure end of the runway, the airplane rotated at the normal takeoff speed; however, it did not climb as the pilot expected. Subsequently, the airplane struck a fence, which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing and rudder, and then came to rest upright beyond the departure end of the runway. The pilot further reported that the airplane did not climb as he expected due to the high density altitude and the crosswind present at the time of the accident. Using weather conditions reported about 5 minutes before the accident and the airport elevation of 3,075 feet mean sea level (msl), the density altitude was about 6,389 feet.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR12CA270 for the full record.