N827P

On June 26, 1999, approximately 1955 eastern daylight time, an amateur-built Porter Searey, N827P, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage when it impacted terrain during a precautionary landing near Morenci, Michigan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, reported minor injuries. The flight was originating from a private airstrip at the time of the accident.

In a written statement, the pilot stated that he had just taken off from his private airstrip and did not believe that he could clear the trees at the end of the runway. The pilot stated that he decided to make a landing in an adjacent field. The pilot stated that the landing required a turn of approximately 150 degrees. The pilot stated that the steep turn required resulted in a stall and subsequent nose down impact with the ground. The pilot reported that the runway surface consisted of dry sod six inches high, which he stated as a reason that the airplane did not reach rotation speed as soon as normal.

The runway is approximately 965 feet long and 75 feet wide with high trees approximately 350 feet from the departure end of the runway. The pilot stated that there is a slight uphill grade to the runway.