On April 25, 2004, a Piper PA-38-112 (registration N6228A) operated by Hunt Presley was involved in an aviation accident near Seminole, OK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's inadequate pre-flight planning. A contributing factor was the pilot's use of unsuitable terrain for takeoff. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot with 6,500 hours conducted a short field takeoff from a private gravel road. After rotation, the airplane settled back onto the road, struck a stationary tractor, spun, and collided with two parked bulldozers.
Accident Details
A pilot with 6,500 hours of flight experience performed a short field takeoff from a private, unimproved gravel road. The road was 3,300 feet long and 20 feet wide. The takeoff began at the 500-foot mark of the road. After a normal run-up and takeoff roll, the airplane rotated but then "settled" back onto the road. During this event, the left wing impacted a stationary tractor. The airplane subsequently "spun" approximately 90 degrees and slid to the right until it collided with two parked bulldozers.
Environmental Conditions
The road surface consisted of about 90% loose gravel, and it had not been used by aircraft for some time. Muddy soft spots were observed on the left side of the road. Additionally, a steel fence post on the left side of the road exhibited impact marks consistent with contact from the airplane's left wing.
Pre-Takeoff Communication
The owner of the private road informed the pilot before the takeoff that the road would be improved in the near future.