Accident Details
On May 12, 2012, at approximately 1600 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-32-260 (registration N4727S) sustained substantial damage during an attempted takeoff from an unimproved farm field near Applegate, Michigan. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane was registered to Daedalian Flyers and operated by the pilot under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight was originating at the time of the accident and was destined for Flugplatz Airport (7MI) in Lexington, Michigan.
Pilot's Account
The pilot reported that he had inadvertently landed on a plowed field near 7MI earlier. He stated that the landing caused no damage. Approximately four hours later, he returned to the airplane. During taxi toward the east, the airplane veered to the left. When he corrected to the right, the nose landing gear collapsed and the propeller contacted the ground. The pilot stated that his intent was to reposition the airplane to 7MI. In a subsequent telephone conversation, the pilot mentioned that his intent was to taxi the airplane on local roads to 7MI.
Damage
Federal Aviation Administration inspectors examined the airplane and found damage to the firewall and the nose landing gear.