Accident Overview
A cross-country flight with three passengers was interrupted when the airplane's upper door latch opened in flight. The pilot decided to perform a precautionary landing at a nearby airport to secure the door, landing on a 1,500-foot-long private grass strip. After securing the door, the pilot attempted to depart the grass strip to the east.
Takeoff Attempts
The pilot aborted the first takeoff attempt because the airplane could not become airborne within a 'reasonable' distance from the end of the runway. During the second attempt, the airplane became airborne approximately 500 feet before the end of the runway. The pilot then lowered the airplane's nose 'to accelerate while remaining in ground effect.' Near the end of the runway, the pilot pitched the airplane up; however, the airplane began to descend and impacted terrain in a cornfield.
Pilot Statements and Conditions
The pilot reported no mechanical problems with the airplane. He stated that 'the airplane was near gross weight, but definitely under gross weight.' The pilot also noted, 'once on the ground I should have off loaded all passengers luggage and perhaps some fuel before taking off.' Using temperature, dew point, and altimeter setting from a nearby airport, the estimated density altitude at the accident site was calculated to be about 2,188 feet.
Performance Information
Review of the takeoff distance chart in the airplane owner's manual indicated a takeoff distance of 900 feet from a 'paved, level, dry, runway.' The chart did not include takeoff distances for takeoffs from grass surfaces.