Incident Overview
During an instructional flight in a twin-engine airplane, the pilot executed a successful landing in a stubble field located roughly half a mile from the intended airport. This landing followed an unsuccessful attempt to restart an engine while airborne. Once on the ground, the engine was restarted successfully. The student then left the aircraft and walked back to the airport. The pilot decided to attempt an off-airport departure from the frozen field, which was covered with alfalfa stubble measuring 4 inches in height.
Takeoff Procedure
The pilot selected a takeoff path that appeared clear of any obstructions and estimated that a ground roll of 3,000 feet would be adequate for liftoff. He taxied the airplane to the edge of the field, engaged the brakes, applied full power to both engines, and then released the brakes. The airplane commenced its takeoff roll.
Accident Sequence
Approximately 700 feet into the ground roll, the airplane struck a shallow rut created by an irrigation pivot. The impact caused the nose landing gear to collapse, which resulted in substantial damage to the forward section of the fuselage.
Pilot's Assessment
In a subsequent interview, the pilot acknowledged that his decision to depart from the field was poor. He noted that he made the judgment to proceed with the takeoff without first walking the terrain to identify potential hazards.