SEA94LA146

The pilot reported that just after takeoff from a grass strip, a climbing left turn was initiated. During the turn, the airplane did not climb sufficiently to clear the nearby terrain. The airplane touched down on the side of a hill and collided with trees. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane at the time of the accident.

On June 12, 1994, at 1600 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 170A, N1389D, collided with trees shortly after take off from a private airstrip near Wolf Creek, Montana. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged and the private pilot and his passenger were not injured.

The pilot reported that the ground roll and take off were under normal conditions with a quartering headwind from the left. After the airplane became airborne, the pilot initiated a climbing left turn, however, the airplane did not climb sufficiently to clear the terrain, and the flight controls were not responding to the pilot's inputs. The airplane completed a 180 degree turn and began to lose altitude. The airplane touched down on the south bank of the creek where, during the landing roll, it collided with trees. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane at the time of the accident.

The pilot reported that at the time of the accident, the temperature was 70 degrees, and the field elevation at the airstrip is 4,000 feet. The Federal Aviation Administration Inspector from the Helena, Montana Flight Standards District Office, reported that the airstrip was dry and covered with approximately three foot tall grass. The surrounding mountains are in close proximity to the airstrip and maneuverability is limited.