What happened
On 9 August 1999, a Piper PA-46, registration N88PL, was involved in a takeoff accident at Grove Fields Farm, near Stratford-Upon Avon. Earlier that morning, the pilot had inspected the grass runway via car and noted that while it had not rained recently, the ground remained wet. Additionally, rising river levels had caused some flooding at the southwest end of the strip.
During the flight, which was a private operation, the pilot attempted a takeoff in a southwesterly direction using full power and 20 degrees of flap. The aircraft experienced slow acceleration. After a ground roll of approximately 600 feet, the aircraft reached a speed of about 55 knots, at which point the pilot rotated to the takeoff attitude and retracted the landing gear. However, the aircraft failed to gain altitude. The pilot subsequently performed a controlled landing in corn stubble located to the right of the runway. The aircraft sustained minor damage to the propeller, landing gear doors, and the underside of the fuselage, while the engine underwent shock load testing.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report form provided by the pilot. Investigators examined the conditions of the airfield, noting the presence of wet grass and localized flooding. The pilot, who held a private pilot's licence with an instrument rating and had significant experience on this aircraft type, identified the primary cause as the attempt to operate from a wet surface.