NTSB Factual Report

On June 6, 2001, at 1130 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-22-150, N6955D, collided with the ground during an attempted takeoff from a field near Pomaria, South Carolina. The personal flight was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot was not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight departed the open field in Pomaria, South Carolina, at 1129.

The pilot reported that one hour and twenty minutes into the flight he attempted to switch fuel tanks from the right tank to the left tank. The pilot could not get the fuel selector into the proper position for the left tank so he switched it back to the right. He then found a grass field and landed the airplane. After landing, the pilot found a man who lived near by, to get him some auto fuel. The airplane had an auto fuel supplemental type certificate (STC). After refueling the airplane, the pilot did a pre-flight inspection, walked around the field and attempted to take-off. On take-off roll the airplane hit a ditch. When the airplane hit the ditch, the nose wheel broke off and the airplane nosed forward to the ground.

Examination of the airplane revealed no mechanical malfunctions. The pilot did not report any mechanical failures. According to takeoff data for the PA-22-150, the ground run to clear a 50-foot obstacle is 685 feet. The pilot reported that the on ground collision occurred as the airplane approached 1000 feet of ground run.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's improper operation of the flight controls while attempting a takeoff from an unimproved surface. A factor was rough and uneven terrain.