Accident Details
On February 27, 1983, a pilot who had not flown for two to three months began a series of flights. The pilot first took off and performed five touch-and-go landings, then stopped for a cup of coffee. Subsequently, the pilot departed again on a second flight. Approximately half an hour later, smoke was observed rising from the accident site. No calls were made by the pilot on the UNICOM frequency prior to the accident.
Site Examination
Examination of the accident site revealed that the aircraft had collided with the branches of two trees along a roadway. The impact point was approximately 3,400 feet short of the runway. The roadway was nearly aligned with the centerline of the runway. Slash marks found on the tree limbs were indicative of propeller strikes. The trees were bare of leaves.
Previous Reports
Airport personnel reported that on previous occasions, pilots had mistaken the roadway for the airport runway.