NTSB Factual Report

On May 25, 2002, at 1345 central daylight time, a 75% Scale Fokker D8, N2188X, collided with trees during takeoff on runway 35 (2,500 feet by 50 feet, grass) at the Hamilton Field, Derby, Kansas. The private pilot was not injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The pilot reported that his original intention was to perform a high speed taxi test after which he was going to return to the hangar. He reported the airplane ran good during the test. Following the taxi test, he then pulled the power back to idle, but instead of going to the hangar, he decided to takeoff, fly around the traffic pattern, and land. The pilot stated that he was short on runway when he initiated the takeoff, so he had to "prematurely pull the aircraft off the ground... ." The pilot stated that once airborne the wind pushed the airplane toward a line of trees. He reported that he attempted to straighten the airplane heading, but instead the airplane hit the trees at an altitude of about 10 feet above the ground.

The pilot reported, "This aircraft stalls at 45 mph and ailerons are ineffective until 60 mph, rudder is so sensitive at 50 mph, 1 inch of rudder pedal travel will cost 180 degree flat turn, so you have to be very careful with the use of it close to the ground."

The airplane contacted trees along the right side of the runway. The pilot reported the winds were out of the west at 15 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

Inadequate preflight planning and inadequate compensation for the wind conditions which resulted in a failure to maintain directional control of the airplane. Factors associated with the accident were the crosswind and the trees which the airplane contacted during the takeoff.