NTSB Factual Report

On March 5, 2005, about 1715 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 172H, N8100L, sustained substantial damage when it collided with trees during the takeoff initial climb from runway 16 at Wakonda Beach State Airport near Waldport, Oregon. The private pilot and one passenger were not injured, and the other two passengers sustained minor injuries. The personal flight was being operated by the pilot under 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The flight was originating when the accident occurred, and the intended destination was Albany, Oregon.

The pilot reported that the 2,000-foot-long turf runway was covered with "heavy grass and moss." During the takeoff roll, the airplane "encountered considerable drag from the turf and moss on the runway." After takeoff, "there was not enough speed or distance to climb over the trees at the end of the runway and the airplane clipped the tops of the trees."

An FAA inspector visited the accident site and reported that the airplane came to rest nose down in the trees. The right wing was folded back against the fuselage, and the left wing had a large dent in the leading edge.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to attain sufficient altitude/clearance during the takeoff initial climb, which resulted in an inflight collision with trees. A factor was the tall grass on the turf runway, which slowed the airplane's acceleration during the takeoff roll.