FTW98LA388

During takeoff from a 1,700 foot grass runway, the tailwheel equipped airplane struck a 3 foot high barbed wire fence that was perpendicular to the departure end of the runway. The pilot then intentionally 'turned' the airplane to avoid hitting an adjacent line of trees. As the airplane came to a stop, the pilot and passenger exited, and a fire erupted which destroyed the aircraft. The pilot reported that the winds were calm at the time of the accident and that the aircraft operated normally during a brief flight earlier in the day. A normal engine run up was performed prior to the attempted take off.

On September 5, 1998, approximately 0715 central daylight time, an Aeronca 7AC tailwheel equipped airplane, N85798, was destroyed following a collision with a fence during an attempted takeoff from a private grass strip, near Kaufman, Texas. The airline transport rated pilot, who owned and operated the aircraft, sustained minor injuries and the pilot rated passenger was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The flight originated from Terrell, Texas, at 0700.

During a telephone interview with the NTSB investigator-in-charge, the pilot stated that he had flown an uneventful five minute flight from the Terrell Municipal Airport, Terrell, Texas, to the airstrip where he briefly visited a friend. He experienced no problems during the landing.

The pilot, who had accumulated approximately 300 hours in tailwheel equipped airplanes, reported that there were no abnormalities during an engine run-up prior to takeoff from the airstrip. He further reported that the takeoff roll appeared to be normal, with the tailwheel lifting off the grass about 200 feet down the 1,700 foot westbound runway. The main landing gear lifted off, but the aircraft "would not climb more than several feet." Subsequently, the airplane struck a 3 foot high barbed wire fence that was perpendicular to the departure end of the runway. The pilot then intentionally "turned" the airplane "to avoid contact with a tree line." After coming to a stop, the pilot and passenger exited the airplane and a fire erupted.

The pilot reported that the winds were calm at the time of the accident.

An FAA inspector who examined the wreckage reported that the airframe fabric was completely destroyed and the airframe tubing exhibited structural and heat damage. The fabric on both wings was destroyed and the wooden wing spars were "charred."