NTSB Factual Report

On May 30, 2001, about 1954 eastern daylight time, a Champion 7ECA, N1669G, registered to Omni Aviation Inc., and operated as a Title 14 CFR part 91 personal flight, crashed into trees during takeoff/initial climb at Air Harbor Airport, Greensboro, North Carolina. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The airline transport-rated pilot and one pilot-rated passenger were not injured, and the aircraft incurred substantial damage. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The pilot stated that it had been a normal takeoff, with all engine and flight indications being normal. The pilot further stated that he had rotated about 800 feet down the runway, and had climbed to about 100 feet, when the aircraft suddenly made an uncommanded left turn. He said he tried to recover, but there was no response to control inputs, and the aircraft impacted the tops of pine trees, coming to rest at a height of about 30 feet into the trees. The pilot stated that he supposed that inadvertent rudder input or p-factor caused the left turn, due to slow airspeed, prior to stall. The pilot reiterated that there had not been any mechanical failure or malfunction to the aircraft's engine, or to any of the aircraft systems prior to the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during takeoff/initial climb, which resulted in an inadvertent stall, an uncontrolled descent, and collision with trees.