Incident Overview
A single-engine airplane experienced an aborted takeoff on a grass runway, resulting in the aircraft departing the runway end, penetrating a fence, and coming to rest in an adjacent field. The pilot, in a written statement, described the sequence of events during the takeoff roll.
Pilot's Account
The pilot reported that during the takeoff run, he realized he was not achieving flying speed and altitude due to a perceived lack of power. With the aircraft already halfway down the runway, he decided to abort the takeoff. He pulled the power, shut off switches, and kept the aircraft straight ahead. The airplane subsequently went through a fence and came to rest in a field beyond the runway end.
Post-Accident Examination
An examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies. No mechanical or system malfunctions were found that could explain the perceived power loss.
Performance Data
According to the airplane's Pilot Operating Handbook (POH), at maximum gross weight (3,300 pounds), the required takeoff distance to clear a 50-foot obstacle is approximately 1,700 feet. The actual grass runway length was 2,800 feet, providing a substantial margin over the published performance figures.
Conclusion
The event involved a rejected takeoff on a grass runway due to the pilot's perception of insufficient power. The aircraft's subsequent travel through a fence and into a field occurred without any identified mechanical issues.