NEWBERG, OR, USA
N7528D
Piper PA-22-150
During takeoff from a turf runway with wet grass, the airplane became airborne but not soon enough to clear the trees at the end of the runway. The pilot stated that he didn't fully evaluate the drag of the longer than usual wet grass.
On November 22, 1997, approximately 1030 Pacific standard time, a Piper PA-22-150, N7528D, collided with terrain shortly after takeoff from a private airstrip near Newberg, OR. The commercial pilot was seriously injured and his two passengers received minor injuries. The airplane, which was owned by the pilot, received substantial damage. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was departing for an intended flight to Albany, OR. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. In the pilot's aircraft accident report, he stated "I don't fully evaluate the drag of longer then (sic) usual wet grass, and soft ground. We got flying speed but not soon enough to clear trees at end of runway."
The pilots failure to account for the increased drag on the runway during the preflight planning. Factors were the long, wet grass.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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