On October 17, 1997, a Champion 7EC (registration CFOJT) was involved in an aviation accident near Galata, MT. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to adequately perform preflight planning (prior to the precautionary landing and prior to the subsequent takeoff), his selection of an unsuitable takeoff area, and his failure to maintain altitude/clearance from the fence during the… This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot who purchased an airplane in Canada performed a precautionary landing in a field due to low fuel, fueled it with automotive gasoline, then struck a fence during takeoff, causing substantial damage.
Accident Details
A pilot who had just purchased an airplane in Canada was ferrying it to his home. After departing from an airport, he realized the aircraft was low on fuel and performed a precautionary landing in a field. He then obtained 9 gallons of automotive gasoline from a nearby gas station to fuel the airplane.
Deciding to depart from the stubble field, the pilot initiated a takeoff roll in a southbound direction. The airplane was positioned approximately 790 feet from a barbed wire fence. After rolling 525 feet, the pilot altered the takeoff direction to the southeast. The airplane became airborne about 130 feet from the fence. It then struck a post on the fence and continued to pull a barbed wire strand with it for approximately 50 feet. The strand held fast, causing the aircraft to yaw to the left. The propeller impacted the ground about 70 feet southeast of the fence, and the airplane sustained substantial damage.
Pilot's Statement
The pilot reported that the engine was 'fully firing' and that there were no perceived mechanical problems with the airplane during the takeoff. He also stated that he should have taxied '...further back to increase margin of takeoff run.'