N132SF

On August 2, 2000, about 1300 Eastern Daylight Time, a Piper PA28-180, N132SF, was substantially damaged while departing a private grass strip near Taberg, New York. The certificated private pilot sustained minor injuries, and three passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the flight that originated at Rochester, New York, destined for the Albany International Airport (ALB), Albany, New York. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

According to the pilot, while en route to ALB, the airplane's upper door latch opened and the pilot intended to perform a precautionary landing at the Becks Grove Airport (K16), Rome, New York, to secure the door. The pilot was receiving VFR "flight following" from Griffiss air traffic control, and was asked if he had K16 "in sight." The pilot then asked the controller if K16 was a "dirt strip" and the controller replied "ah yeah I believe it is." Thirty seconds later, the controller attempted unsuccessfully to contact the pilot to inform him that K16 consisted of an asphalt runway. The pilot landed on a 1,500-foot long private grass strip, which was located about 2-1/2 miles north of K16.

According to the Airport Facility Directory, K16 contained a single 3,000-foot long, asphalt runway.

After landing, the pilot secured the door and attempted to depart the grass strip to the east. The pilot aborted his first attempt to takeoff, because the airplane was unable to takeoff within a "reasonable" distance of the end of the runway. During the second attempt, the airplane became airborne about 500 feet before the end of the runway, and the pilot lowered the airplane's nose "to accelerate while remaining in ground effect." Near the end of the runway, the pilot pitched the airplane up; however, the airplane began to descend towards a cornfield and impacted terrain.

Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector did not reveal any pre-impact malfunction; nor did the pilot report any. The inspector noted that there was a gully located off the departed end of the runway.

The pilot stated that the airplane was "near gross weight, but definitely under gross weight." He also stated "once on the ground I should have off loaded all passengers luggage and perhaps some fuel before taking off."

Winds reported at an airport about 14 miles southeast of the accident site at 1252, were from 270 degrees at 4 knots; however, the pilot stated that the windsock at the airstrip was "limp" before he began the takeoff roll.

Additionally, using the temperature, dew point, and altimeter setting, reported at a nearby airport, the estimated density altitude at the accident site was calculated to be about 2,188 feet.

Review of the takeoff distance chart located in the airplane owner's manual, revealed a takeoff distance of about 900 feet from a "paved, level, dry, runway." The chart did not include distances for takeoffs from grass surfaces.