LAX99LA012

The pilot was picking up two pilots who ferried an aircraft to the paint shop. The aircraft was towed to the departure end of the runway and takeoff checks were completed. The aircraft failed to accelerate normally but the pilot attributed this to either the sand and dirt runway, or the turbocharger lagging. He stated he did not put his heels on the floor and must have inadvertently maintained some brake pressure as he used the rudder to maintain directional alignment. The aircraft passed over a depression in the runway and became airborne momentarily. It settled back to the runway and bounced over a fence. It contacted a tree and the right wing separated at the wing root. The aircraft traveled another 50 feet before coming to rest. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical discrepancies with the aircraft.

On October 12, 1998, at 0930 hours Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-32-301T, N4316L, collided with ground obstructions while attempting to takeoff from the Holiday Ranch Airport, Apple Valley, California. The aircraft was operated by the commercial pilot/owner under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 and sustained substantial damage. The pilot and his two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight and no flight plan was filed. The pilot picked up two pilots who had flown another plane to the paint shop and was returning to Long Beach, California.

The pilot stated the airplane was towed to the end of the runway for a northerly departure and a normal run-up was conducted. After completing the run-up and checking instruments, the pilot applied takeoff power. He used the rudder pedals during the takeoff to maintain directional lineup. Less than normal acceleration was attributed to either the sand/dirt composition of the runway or a lagging turbocharger. He stated he left his feet on the rudder pedals without moving his heels to the floor, and must have inadvertently been applying some brake pressure. Approximately midway down the runway the aircraft traveled through a slight dip in the runway and momentarily became airborne. However, the aircraft fell back to the ground, then bounced back into the air and over a fence. The right wing impacted a tree and separated from the aircraft near the fuselage. The aircraft continued approximately 50 feet before coming to rest. All switches were secured and everyone exited the aircraft.

In his written report, the pilot stated that there were no mechanical discrepancies with the aircraft.