What happened
The pilot reported encountering deteriorating visibility caused by haze during the flight. In response to the reduced visual conditions, he elected to land in an unimproved field rather than continuing to a prepared airport. The initial approach to this landing site was aborted, but the aircraft successfully touched down during a second attempt.
Shortly after touchdown, the pilot realized that the available field length was insufficient for a safe takeoff. He initiated a takeoff roll to clear the obstacle at the end of the field. However, the aircraft failed to gain enough altitude to clear the brush located at the end of the landing area. The aircraft subsequently collided with the brush and nearby trees.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the events leading up to the collision. It was determined that the pilot's decision to land in an unimproved field under deteriorating weather conditions played a significant role in the outcome. The short length of the unimproved field prevented the aircraft from achieving the necessary performance for takeoff.
Findings
The primary factors contributing to the accident included the pilot's failure to ensure adequate runway length for the specific aircraft and conditions, and the decision to land in an unimproved area when visibility was compromised by haze. The inability to clear the brush at the end of the field resulted from insufficient airspeed and altitude during the takeoff attempt.
Safety message
Pilots should carefully evaluate the suitability of unimproved landing sites, particularly when weather conditions are deteriorating. Ensuring adequate runway length for both landing and takeoff is critical in such scenarios to avoid obstacles at the end of the field.