CEN09LA467

The pilot attempted a takeoff on a 1,400-foot-long grass runway and during initial climb the airplane's climb "stagnated." The pilot lowered the nose to increase controllability and speed, but there was no apparent improvement. The airplane descended and impacted terrain, which collapsed the main landing gear and spun the airplane around. The airplane sustained damage to the wing spar and empennage. Postaccident inspection of the airplane revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The takeoff weight, which was near the maximum gross weight of the airplane, the lack of a headwind, and the grass runway surface would have negatively affected the airplane's takeoff performance.

On July 25, 2009, at 1230 eastern daylight time, a Taylorcraft BF12-65, N36299, owned and piloted by an airline transport pilot, received substantial damage on impact with terrain during an initial climb after takeoff from a southeast runway (1,400 feet by 60 feet, grass) at a private airstrip near Sawyer, Michigan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot sustained minor injuries and the passenger sustained serious injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that a crosswind was present when he attempted a takeoff. He said that the airplane engine was producing takeoff power, and the airplane lifted off about 800 feet down the runway at 60 miles per hour. While climbing out at 65-70 mph and at 40-50 feet above ground level, the climb "stagnated." The pilot lowered the nose to increase "controllability and speed with no apparent improvement." The airplane descended and the pilot attempted a landing on a bean field. The airplane main landing gear collapsed when it impacted the ground and the airplane spun 180 degrees towards the right. In the pilot's initial statement to the Federal Aviation Administration, he stated that during the climb, the airplane nose pitched up, he pushed the nose down, and the airplane impacted the ground. Post accident examination of the airplane by the Federal Aviation Administration revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that the maximum gross weight of the airplane was 1,280 pounds and the airplane weight at the time of the accident was 1,238 pounds. The airplane was not equipped with shoulder harnesses nor was it required to have a shoulder harness installation under the certification standards of the airplane when it was manufactured. The pilot and passenger sustained head injuries.