Accident Details
On August 11, 2022, at about 1735 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140 airplane, registration N5780F, was substantially damaged in an accident near Laurel, Montana. The pilot and passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a personal flight under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
Sequence of Events
The pilot reported that shortly after takeoff, the airplane was not performing as expected. During the initial climb, the engine rpm dropped. The pilot attempted to turn back towards the airport, but the airplane was unable to maintain altitude. The pilot elected to land in a field, and the airplane impacted terrain about half a mile south of the airport. The wings sustained substantial damage.
Postaccident Examination
A postaccident examination of the engine revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
Additional Factors
The density altitude was calculated to be about 5,457 ft. According to the pilot, the gross weight of the airplane at takeoff was about 1,921 lbs, which was about 230 lbs below the maximum weight for takeoff. The pilot's operating handbook for the airplane indicated that the airplane should have been capable of a 450 feet per minute rate of climb.