WARRENSBURG, MO, USA
N4435J
Piper PA-28-140
The pilot reported that after lifting off 2/3 to 5/8 the way down the 2,600-foot long grass, wet runway, the airspeed did not seem to increase and the airplane was not climbing like normal. He stated he lowered the nose and entered a shallow left turn toward an open area to avoid trees in front of him. The pilot reported that upon completing the turn, he leveled the wings and brought the yoke to a "normal to slightly aft" position. He reported, "at that point we lost all lift and impacted left wing low and on the nose wheel-which collapsed." The pilot reported the engine sounded fine and there were no mechanical failures/malfunctions with the airplane. According to a PA-28-140 Owner's Handbook the useful load for the airplane is 949 pounds. The pilot reported a combined weight of 580 pounds for himself and his passengers. He also reported he had 32 gallons of fuel onboard. Density altitude at the time of the accident was calculated to be 2222 feet. According to a PA-28-140 Owner's Handbook, on a standard day, using a paved runway, at gross weight, the takeoff distance to clear a 50 foot obstacle is approximately 2200 feet.
On July 18, 2000, at 1215 central daylight time, N4435J, a Piper PA-28-140, collided with the terrain following a loss of control during the initial takeoff climb from the Short Air Airstrip, Warrensburg, Missouri. The takeoff was being conducted to the northwest on the private 2,600 foot long, wet grass airstrip. The private pilot and two passengers on board received minor injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The flight was originating at the time of the accident with a destination of Lee's Summit, Missouri. The pilot reported he began the takeoff roll approximately 50 feet from the end of the runway. He stated he used a short field/soft field technique with 15 degrees of flaps. The pilot reported the airplane became airborne at a distance 2/3 to 5/8 down the runway. He stated the airplane climbed slightly and "...the speed didn't seem to be increasing and we weren't climbing like normal-engine sounded fine...." He stated they were approaching an area of trees, which they were not going be able to clear, but there was an open area west of the runway. The pilot reported he lowered the nose of the airplane to maintain airspeed and entered a shallow left turn toward the open area. He stated that after completing the turn he returned the yoke to "normal to slightly aft." The pilot reported, "at that point we lost all lift and impacted left wing low and on the nose wheel-which collapsed." The pilot completed an NTSB Form 6120.1/2 on which he reported there were no mechanical failures/malfunctions with the airplane. According to a PA-28-140 Owner's Handbook the useful load for the airplane is 949 pounds. The pilot reported a combined weight of 580 pounds for himself and his passengers. He also reported he had 32 gallons of fuel onboard. An inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration Kansas City Flight Standards District Office reported the airstrip was wet at the time of the accident. Using a field elevation of 840 feet, an outside air temperature of 78 degrees, and a barometric pressure of 29.98 inches of mercury, density altitude was calculated to 2222 feet. According to a PA-28-140 Owner's Handbook, on a standard day, using a paved runway, at gross weight, the takeoff distance to clear a 50 foot obstacle is approximately 2200 feet.
inadequate airspeed on takeoff that resulted in a stall/mush condition. Factors associated with the accident were the wet, grass runway, and the trees near the departure end of the runway.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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