On September 29, 2000, a Piper PA-32-260 (registration N33117) was involved in an aviation accident near Petersburg, MI. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilots failure to abort the takeoff and obtain/maintain clearance from the corn crop. Factors were the tall, wet, grass runway, and the corn crop. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An airplane impacted corn immediately after takeoff from a grass runway and was destroyed by post-impact fire. The pilot reported using a short field takeoff procedure and encountering wind from 270 degrees at 5-7 knots.
Accident Details
The airplane impacted corn immediately after takeoff from a grass runway and was destroyed by a post-impact fire. The pilot stated that he was departing on runway 27 using a short field takeoff procedure. He reported the wind as 270 degrees at 5-7 knots. During the takeoff, the airplane "settled back on down" and then became airborne again but could not clear the corn crop at the end of the runway. The pilot noted that the grass on the west end of the runway was about 8 inches high.
Pilot Report and Examination
In his written report, the pilot listed no mechanical malfunction of the aircraft. A postaccident examination of the aircraft failed to reveal any preexisting anomalies.
Runway and Weather Conditions
The inspector noted that the grass on the runway was about 3 inches high and was "very damp but firm." A weather report for a reporting station located about 13 nautical miles and 85 degrees magnetic reported winds, about 20 minutes after the accident, as 130 degrees at 3 knots.