NTSB Factual Report

On June 30, 2003, about 1345 central daylight time, a Beech A35, N564B, operated by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage when it stalled and impacted terrain during takeoff from Pilot Pointe Estates Airport, near Douglass, Kansas. The flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 at the time of the accident. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot reported no injuries and his passenger reported minor injuries. The personnel flight was originating from Pilot Pointe Estates Airport at the time of the accident and was destined for Ephraim-Fish Creek Airport, near Ephraim, Wisconsin.

According to a statement by the pilot, while taxing to runway 36 he "flipped [the] flap switch with [the] intentions of putting flaps down." The pilot said that he attempted, during takeoff roll, to lift off the runway but the airplane stalled immediately. He stated that he "pushed the yoke forward in an attempt to recover from the stall." He said that the airplane settled back down to the runway and was still "out of control when the right wing clipped a tree at the end and side of the runway." The pilot reported, that after the impact the right wing was severed and the airplane made a 120-degree loop. According to the pilot, the airplane struck a large boulder damaging the tail of the airplane. The pilot stated, "... After the accident I noticed that the flaps switch was in the up position. Thus, I rotated off the ground with insufficient airspeed for plane configuration to sustain flight."

The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to attain adequate airspeed and his premature liftoff, which resulted in a stall. A factor to the accident was the tree.