N39999

On September 25, 1995, at 1945 eastern standard time, a Piper PA- 28, N39999, sustained substantial damage during takeoff roll when its right wingtip hit a hay bale. The private pilot reported no injuries to himself or the three passengers on board. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was departing an unlit grass strip near Poseyville, Indiana, en route to Indianapolis Metropolitan Airport, Fisher, Indiana. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.

The pilot reported that it was dark when he departed the grass airstrip. The pilot determined that he could takeoff even though the runways lacked any lighting. The pilot reported that he instructed someone in an automobile to postion the automobile at the departure end of runway 22, and to shine its lights at the airplane in order to give the pilot a centerline reference for runway 22. The pilot stated, "Unfortunately, I instructed the automobile to set at the end of runway 18." He further stated that, "a blatant error in judgment and aircraft direction resulted in departing the runway and impacting a rolled bale of hay in the adjacent field." After the impact with the hay bale, the pilot and passengers evacuated the airplane immediately, and suffered no injuries.