What happened
The pilot departed from a 2,000-foot grass strip carrying three passengers. The aircraft was loaded near its gross weight limit at departure. The runway surface consisted of grass measuring four to six inches in height. After initiating the takeoff roll, the aircraft became airborne and climbed to an altitude between 50 and 60 feet. As the aircraft approached a tree line, gusting winds affected the airframe. These wind gusts caused the right wing to rise abruptly. The combination of the wind disturbance and the heavy load resulted in a loss of both airspeed and altitude. Recognizing the inability to maintain controlled flight, the pilot attempted to land on a nearby road. During this descent, the aircraft struck overhead power lines. The impact with the wires led to a final crash into a ditch.
Findings
The accident was primarily caused by the pilot's decision to take off in conditions that exceeded the aircraft's performance capabilities for the given weight and runway length. Gusty winds near the tree line disrupted the climb profile. The heavy loading of the aircraft reduced its ability to recover from the loss of lift. Piper PA-28 Cherokee performance was insufficient to clear obstacles or maintain control in these specific circumstances.
Safety message
Pilots must carefully calculate takeoff performance based on actual gross weight and runway conditions. Short grass runways can increase drag and reduce acceleration. Operating near maximum gross weight significantly degrades climb performance, especially when encountering wind shear or gusts near terrain features.