Accident Overview
On October 10, 2009, at about 1545 eastern daylight time, a Beech E35 (registration N3515B) was substantially damaged during a takeoff attempt from a hayfield in Mount Morris, New York. The certificated private pilot was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.
Pilot's Account
According to initial reports, the pilot stated the airplane had a history of the entry door popping open during takeoff and he was troubleshooting the problem. He attempted takeoff from runway 4 at J.C. Palermo Airpark, a 1,200-foot runway at 962 feet elevation. When the door opened, he became startled and aborted the takeoff but was unable to stop on the runway. He also acknowledged that he attempted the takeoff downwind.
In a later telephone interview, the pilot claimed the airplane never left the ground, describing the event as a high-speed taxi. However, three witnesses reported to state police that the airplane did take off, with one stating it reached about 25 feet above the runway before landing in a hayfield beyond the runway end.
Witness Observations
Two witnesses stated that after landing in the hayfield, the pilot got out, inspected the airplane, and said, "I think everything's okay." He then taxied across the hayfield and made a second takeoff attempt, briefly becoming airborne again before settling back onto the field. The pilot never mentioned a second takeoff attempt.
Ground Evidence
State police reported ground scars about 600 feet long leading through a hedgerow and across a drainage ditch to the airplane. The airplane sustained fuselage and left wing damage. According to an FAA inspector, the ground scars headed northeast toward the airplane, and the hayfield had a rough, uneven surface.
Pilot's Background and Medical Status
The pilot stated no mechanical anomalies other than the access door. His latest FAA medical certificate was "pending" as of May 23, 2000. He was using prescribed medications daily, including alprazolam, carbamazepine, fluoxetine, and buspirone. He reported losing his logbook and not having a biennial flight review "in a few years," but continued flying regularly.
Weather Conditions
Weather recorded at nearby airports: Dansville, New York (12 nm southeast) at 1554: winds from 280 degrees true at 8 knots. Rochester, New York (25 nm northeast) at 1554: winds from 280 degrees true at 6 knots.