What happened
During an attempt to depart from an airfield featuring a single runway (140/320 degrees), the pilot encountered significant weather challenges. At the time of the incident, fog had reduced visibility to between 500 and 1,000 feet. To ensure the path was clear of obstacles, the pilot requested that a passenger walk the runway to inspect it.
Following this inspection, the pilot moved the aircraft to the run-up area. During the takeoff roll, the pilot adjusted the Horizontal Situation Indicator (HSI) to a heading of 120 degrees. As the aircraft reached a speed of 80 knots, the pilot identified that the takeoff roll had actually been performed on a taxiway that intersects the main runway at its midpoint, rather than on the runway itself.
In an effort to correct the course, the pilot aborted the takeoff and attempted to steer the aircraft back toward the proper runway. During this maneuver, the aircraft crossed the runway and struck a tree. The aircraft eventually came to a stop in an upright position within a nearby cornfield. Nearby meteorological reports indicated even more severe conditions, with visibility as low as 1/16 mile and a ceiling of 200 feet.
Findings
- The pilot incorrectly initiated the takeoff roll on a taxiway instead of the active runway.
- Reduced visibility due to fog contributed to the difficulty in maintaining situational awareness regarding the aircraft's position on the ground.