20000723007299A

(-23) On July 23, 2000, at approximately 1315 local time, N32162, a Waco model YPF7 crashed while attempting a takeoff at the Flying cirus Aerodrome airport located in bealeton, Virginia. The pilot and two passengers were not injuried. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The aircraft was being aoperated fro hire, in conjuction with the Flying cirus airshow, by providing airplanes rides for a fee. The two passengers had paid a fee for an aircraft ride prior ro the start of the airshow. An interview with the pilot and two passengers revealed that the aircraft took off to the north on the grass strip. The initial takeoff appeared normal. The aircraft came off the ground approximately 30 feet. The pilot stated that the aircraft appearded sluggish and would not climb. He tried to nose it down a little to gain some speed. At a point in time he realized that he was not going to clear the trees and power lines at the end of the runway so he intentionally set the aircraft down in a filed adjacent to the left side of the north end of the runway. The aircraft came to rest nose first against a line of trees at the end of the field. The pilot and passengers did not hear of obser ve any signs of an engine problem during takeoff. Both passengers were sitting in the front seat of the aircraft. One of the passengers described that he thought the engine was straining during takeoff. The other passenger stated the she watched the gage marked mph and it did not get above 40. The combined weight oft he passengers was 272 lb. The pilot stated that the fule tanks were half full. One of the passengers stated the wind was quite strong and gusty from the direction of the trees where the airplane came to rest. A review of the aircraft weight and balance and aircraft specifiications revealed that the weight of the aircraft may have been approximately 12 bl. Under gross weight. An inspection of the engine's spark plugs and air cleaner revealed no obvious signs of a problem. A review of the aircraft log revealed that the aircarft's main wheel fairing, engine cowling and associated mounting brackets and hardware had recently (07/12/00) been removed. The weight and balance was revised. According to the log book entry, the new empty weight was 1957.5 and the useful load was 692 lb. The aircraft empty weight CG was 11.62.