McConnell, IL, USA
N5211L
Piper PA-28-180
The airplane collided with a corn crop during takeoff from a 1,400 foot long grass private airstrip. The pilot reported there was insufficient airspeed to takeoff. He stated there was a dike located off the end of the airstrip and in order to avoid contacting it, he turned the airplane to the left into a corn field. The airplane contacted the corn and spun around prior to coming to rest. The pilot, who is also the owner of the airstrip, stated the airstrip is located near a river and tends to be soft. He stated the airstrip was mowed the day prior to the accident. He stated that after the accident he walked the airstrip and determined that the ground was soft.
On August 28, 2005, at 1740 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28-180, N5211L, collided with a corn crop during takeoff from a private airstrip (1,400 feet long, wet grass), in McConnell, Illinois. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot reported the airplane did not gain sufficient airspeed to takeoff. He stated there was a dike located off the end of the airstrip and in order to avoid contacting it, he turned the airplane to the left into a corn field. The airplane contacted the corn and spun around prior to coming to rest. The pilot, who is also the owner of the airstrip, stated the airstrip is located near a river and tends to be soft. He stated the airstrip was mowed the day prior to the accident. He stated that after the accident he walked the airstrip and determined that the ground was soft.
The pilot's inadequate preflight/planning which resulted in the attempted takeoff on the soft airstrip. Factors associated with the accident were the soft terrain, the corn crop, and the inadequate airspeed achieved during the takeoff roll.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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