Piper PA-28-160 Crash During Takeoff from Agricultural Land in Curacaví, Chile

Incident Overview and Background On February 17, 2021, at 12:15 local time, a private pilot was attempting to take off a Piper PA-28-160 from an agricultural field in the rural sector of Los Naranjos, Curacaví, Chile. The site was not designated as an aerodrome. The aircraft had been left there following an emergency landing on December 21, 2020, which resulted in no injuries or damage. Prior to the incident, a DGAC inspector and the pilot verified the surface and dimensions of the site, and the maneuver was authorized. The pilot's intention was to ferry the aircraft to the Curacaví Aerodrome. The pilot completed a pre-flight inspection and engine tests without noting any issues. During the takeoff roll, the pilot applied full power but observed that the aircraft was not reaching the 65 MPH rotation speed. Despite this, the pilot continued the maneuver. After traveling a longer distance than calculated, the aircraft reached 65 MPH, and the pilot initiated rotation. However, the aircraft failed to achieve a positive climb, and the main landing gear touched the ground again, leaving 25-meter skid marks. The pilot then raised the nose and reduced power. As the aircraft passed over some trees, the right main landing gear wheel contacted tree branches, causing the aircraft to pivot to the right and crash into a shed adjacent to a private residence. The pilot sustained minor injuries, and the aircraft was destroyed by fire. The shed and part of the house were also damaged by the fire. The investigation was conducted in accordance with ICAO Annex 13 and Chilean regulations, focusing on determining the causes for safety prevention purposes.