ANC02LA105

The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll, the tailwheel-equipped airplane encountered a bump in the runway, and became airborne prematurely. He said as the airplane descended to the runway, it yawed to the left, and when it touched down, it went off the left side of the runway. The pilot pulled the power off to abort the takeoff; however, the airplane subsequently struck a parked vehicle and trees.

On August 27, 2002, about 1115 Alaska daylight time, N3752F, a Cessna 172 airplane converted to a tailwheel configuration, sustained substantial damage when it collided with terrain and objects during an aborted takeoff at the Chena Marina Airstrip, Fairbanks, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The private pilot and the one passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a VFR flight plan was filed. The flight was bound for a remote airstrip at Lake Minchumina, Alaska.

During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) on August 27, the pilot said during the takeoff roll on runway 36, the airplane "hit a bump," and prematurely became airborne. He said the airplane descended to the runway, but while airborne yawed to the left. He reported that after touching down the airplane exited the runway to the left. He said he had pulled the power off when the airplane touched down, but it was too late. He said the airplane collided with a truck parked alongside the runway, and then continued into a wooded area. He said the fuselage went between several trees which severed the wings from the airplane.

The pilot said there were no known mechanical anomalies with the airplane prior to the accident.