NTSB Factual Report

On July 1, 2003, about 1430 eastern daylight time, a Mooney M20J, N1084B, was substantially damaged during an aborted takeoff from a non-designated airstrip in De Lancey, New York. The certificated commercial pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the positioning flight destined for Doylestown, Pennsylvania (DYL). No flight plan had been filed for the flight that was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

The pilot reported that on June 26, 2003, he was cruising at 8,000 feet, en route from Burlington, Vermont (BTV), to Doylestown, when he experienced a total power loss. He set up for forced landing on an abandon airstrip, formerly known as Bishop Airstrip, De Lancey, New York. The landing was completed without damage, and the pilot brought a mechanic in to assess the situation. A problem was discovered in the single drive, dual magneto system. The magneto drive system was repaired, and the airplane released for flight. A mechanic accompanied the pilot on the accident flight.

The field that the pilot landed in was originally an airstrip that was 4,800 feet long, and 50 feet wide. It was orientated 010/190 degrees magnetic. The runway had since been plowed for agricultural use. The current owner of the property on which the airstrip was located reported that he cut the grass in a 1,600 feet, by 50 feet wide swath. He added that the hay beyond the area that he cut for the pilot, had recently been cut and was about 1,500 feet long for a total of 3,100 feet available for takeoff. The owner reported that he offered to cut an additional 400 feet that was located before the cut area; however, the pilot declined the offer.

The pilot stated:

"...after testing the mags and conducting pre-flight, I took off with one passenger. I attempted to make a short field takeoff. At 65 - 70 knots, I pulled the aircraft off. It did not climb. We settled back on the ground, picked up a little more speed and attempted to lift-off. The aircraft would not climb. We were approaching the end of the field, I elected to abort the take-off. We ended up at the end of the field. The left wing hit a tree and came off. The nose gear was also broken off...."

In a follow-up interview, the pilot reported that he aborted the takeoff with about 400 feet remaining to the trees that were ahead When asked, the pilot reported that there were no problems with the engine.

The passenger onboard the airplane stated:

"Power appeared normal. Lift off at 65 kts - nose high - plane settled back onto field - bounced up again - and sees we would not clear trees - pilot cut power - steered slight right, left wing hit tree - tore off. Plane slid approx. 50 ft turned left - exited aircraft."

The mechanic who repaired the engine witnessed the accident. He stated:

"...I installed a repaired magneto on N1084B. Runup was satisfactory. Aircraft attempted a departure to the northeast into a headwind. The farmer mowed a portion of his field for the takeoff. The aircraft accelerated normally but ran off the end of the mowed area. The pilot then lifted off at a high angle of pitch and settled back into the area of higher grass. The pilot continued to takeoff again and lifted off again, with a high angle of pitch. It seemed as he was trying to pull it off the high grass portion of the runway, the aircraft now airborne veered to the southeast and hit a tree..."

The pilot reported the wind was a left quartering crosswind of 8 to 10 knots. The property owner reported the winds were from the west, about 15 knots.

According to the Mooney M20J Pilot's Operating Handbook, and FAA Approved Airplane Flight Manual, for a grass runway takeoff, the lift off speed would range from 55 knots at 2,300 pounds, to 59 knots, at 2,900 pounds. The speed at 50 feet would be 71 knots at 2,300 pounds and 76 knots at 2,900 pounds.

The field was located in the bottom of a stream bed canyon that was about 1,500 feet wide. Higher terrain existed in all quadrants. Initial climb would been in a winding canyon. below the tops of the hills on the surrounding terrain.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's delayed decision to perform an aborted takeoff, which did not allow for sufficient room to stop. A factor was the grass runway.