NTSB Factual Report

On February 23, 2017, about 1300 mountain standard time, a Beechcraft A36TC, N3803J, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain shortly after takeoff from Stevensville Airport (32S), Stevensville, Montana. The private pilot and his passenger received minor injuries. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.

According to the pilot, he based the airplane at 32S, and he and his wife planned a final destination of New Orleans. The takeoff was conducted from runway 12. The pilot "accelerated" the airplane to "80" [knots] and then lifted off. Shortly after, the airplane "couldn't climb or accelerate." The pilot stated that he was unaware of the cause of the problem, and that it felt like there was a "rapid decrease in power." He reported that he ensured that the engine controls were in their appropriate positions for full takeoff power, but that the airplane "would not lift" any further. The pilot reported that he had insufficient time to scan the engine power instruments or diagnose the problem, due to the airplane's proximity to the ground. The pilot did not retract the landing gear during the event. He did not report his maximum altitude, but he did report that he had previously experienced problems with the turbocharger system.

The airplane struck level terrain adjoining the south side of the runway. Ground scars indicated that the airplane traveled only a few hundred feet after initial ground contact. The airplane came to rest upright, about 300 feet from the runway centerline, and approximately 3,500 feet along the runway from the 12 threshold end, or about 300 feet prior to the 30 threshold end. The nose and left main landing gear were completely fracture-separated from the airplane, and the right main landing gear was partially separated. The engine mount was partially separated from the firewall, and the cowling and propeller were significantly damaged. Both wingtip fuel tanks were fractured, and the left wing leading edge incurred crush damage

A pilot-rated eyewitness who was situated on the northeast side of the runway, about 2,400 feet from the 12 end, reported that his attention was called to the airplane by its engine sound. He reported that the engine sounded normal, which he elaborated as both "strong and loud" and "ear piercing loud." The airplane just broke ground as it passed abeam of him, and he then mentioned to a person who was with him to watch the airplane, because its takeoff appeared to be unusual. The airplane achieved a maximum altitude of about 50 ft above the ground, and then began a "steep right descending turn." The right wingtip struck the ground first; it exhibited a brief flash of fire which quickly disappeared. The witness stated that runway 12 has a "substantial" uphill slope, and the terrain and trees also rise in that direction. He also reported that at the time, there was a "quartering tailwind" from the "northwest" of about 15 knots.

The pilot held a private pilot certificate with a single-engine land rating. Subsequent to the accident, he advised the FAA that he had about 569 hours total flight experience, including about 162 hours in the accident airplane make and model.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) information indicated that the airplane was manufactured in 1980, and was equipped with a Continental TSIO-520 series engine. Preliminary information indicated that the airplane had a total time in service of about 2,927 hours.

According to FAA information, 32S was equipped with a single runway, designated 12/30, which was paved, and measured 3,800 feet long. Airport elevation was 3,610 feet above mean sea level. The airport was not equipped with an air traffic control tower. A dedicated Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF) was specified for radio communications use by arriving and departing aircraft. The CTAF communications were not recorded.

The 32S automated weather observations were recorded. In the period from 1255 to 1301, the winds were recorded as being from 340 and 350 degrees, between 9 and 12 knots, with numerous gusts to 16 knots. The observations also reported visibility 10 miles, temperature 2 degrees C, dew point minus 6 degrees C, and an altimeter setting of 29.98 inches of mercury.