Accident Overview
A pilot conducted a precautionary landing after realizing his airplane was not climbing well during takeoff from runway 2, a turf runway measuring 2,000 feet long and 150 feet wide. About halfway down the runway, at an altitude of 80 to 100 feet above ground level, the pilot noticed the airplane "was not climbing particularly well." Concerned that the airplane would not clear trees near the end of the runway, he elected to perform a precautionary landing.
Maneuver and Landing
The pilot turned the airplane and attempted to land in a field to the right of the grass strip. The landing was described as "rough" and resulted in substantial damage to the left wing of the airplane.
Pilot Comments
The pilot stated that the preflight inspection and engine run-up were "good" before the accident flight. He attributed the decreased performance to the hot and humid conditions, the airplane being full of fuel, and the presence of a passenger. The pilot noted his total flight experience was approximately 200 hours, of which about 125 hours were in the same make and model as the accident airplane.
Weather Conditions
The recorded weather at an airport located 2 miles north of the accident site included winds from 300 degrees at 7 knots, clear skies, and a temperature of 33 degrees Celsius.