N7061R

On August 24, 1996, about 1710 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140, N7061R, registered to a private individual, collided with trees after aborting a takeoff at Eagles Landing Airport, Williamson, Georgia, while on a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft received substantial damage and the private-rated pilot and one passenger received minor injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The pilot stated this was the first time he has taken off from a sod strip. At the beginning of the takeoff he began holding aft elevator control. During the takeoff roll he realized the aircraft was to the right of the runway center line. He used left rudder to move toward the center line and then right rudder to keep the aircraft going straight. The aircraft continued to the left down the crown of the runway, toward the runway edge. Attempts to correct the left drift using right rudder and aileron were unsuccessful and the takeoff was aborted. He did not apply the brakes for fear the aircraft would slide into the trees off the left side of the runway. The left wing tip contacted brush and the aircraft veered to the left. The aircraft went off the side of the runway and collided with a tree where it came to rest.