N6776W

On November 9, 1993, at 1530 central standard time, a Piper PA-28-140, N6776W, was substantially damaged durimg initial takeoff climb from a pasture near Fredericksburg, Texas. The private pilot was not injured. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight. No flight plan was filed.

According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the airplane made a precautionary landing on the open pasture on the previous day. The the pilot had been unable to land at the Gillespie County Airport, near Fredericksburg, Texas, due to low ceilings and visibilities. The purpose of the flight was to recover the airplane from the pasture and fly it to the Gillespie Airport, approximately 8 miles to the southeast.

The pilot stated that the airplane cleared the fence at the end of the pasture, but was not able to clear the top of the trees. Trees surrounding the pasture were estimated to be 15 to 20 feet tall. Density altitude was calculated at 2700 feet. The pilot did not report any maintenance anomalies prior to the accident. The outboard half of both wings sustained structural damage and the fuselage was bent.