LAX96LA313

The pilot departed runway 08 during local thunderstorm activity. The runway had an uphill gradient of 2.2 percent. The pilot reported the winds were from the southeast at 10 to 15 knots. He said that during takeoff, he raised the gear at approximately 50 feet agl and retracted the flaps. Except for light turbulence, the takeoff was uneventful until the airplane reached an altitude of about 75 to a 100 feet agl. At about that time, the airplane started descending. The pilot applied full power and increased the pitch attitude, but was unable to arrest the descent. When the pilot realized the airplane was going to contact the ground, he extended the landing gear. Before the landing gear was fully extended, the propeller struck the runway. The pilot noted a resultant vibration and elected to abort the takeoff. The airplane then traveled beyond the departure end of the runway and encountered rocky terrain.

On August 23, 1996, about 1445 hours Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA46-310P, N9130N, was substantially damaged during takeoff at Redlands, California. Neither the pilot nor the passenger were injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight and no flight plan was filed.

The pilot reported that he was departing on runway 08 due to winds associated with thunderstorm activity just north of the airport. He stated that the winds were steady at 10 to 15 knots out of the southeast. He stated that he raised the gear at approximately 50 feet agl and retracted the flaps. The takeoff was uneventful except for light turbulence until he reached an altitude of about 75 to 100 feet agl. At that time, the aircraft started descending. The pilot applied full power and increased the pitch attitude. The airplane then settled back down and the propeller blade tips contacted the runway. Due to vibration the pilot extended the landing gear and reduced the power. The airplane came to rest beyond the end of the runway in an area of rocky terrain. According to the Airport Master Record, FAA form 5010-1, runway 08 has an uphill gradient of 2.2 percent.

Witnesses reported a thunderstorm in the area of the airport at the time of the accident with variable gusting winds. The nearest official weather reporting station is located at March AFB, 16 miles south. They were reporting cumulonimbus clouds to the north with visible lightening.