NTSB Factual Report

On June 9, 2001, at 1215 central daylight time, a Cessna 172M, N191WW, nosed over after settling back to the terrain during takeoff on runway 36 (2,971 feet by 110 feet, wet grass) at the Morey Airport, Middleton, Wisconsin. The private pilot was not injured and the airplane received substantial damage. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The flight originated at the Morey Airport at 1115 central daylight time.

The pilot reported that he performed 7 or 8 touch and go landings on runway 30 which is asphalt. He then decided to perform the last touch and go on runway 36 which is grass. He stated he decided to land on the grass because two airplanes were back taxiing on runway 30 and because the winds shifted to out of the north. The pilot reported that after landing he configured the airplane for takeoff. He continued to report, "The plane would not get up to flying speed. The engine was at full power and I was bogging down. I decided to abort the take-off and pulled power out, full back elevator and the airplane slowed down, when the nose wheel touched down in the very soft mud and the plane nosed-over and came to rest inverted."

The pilot reported that prior to takeoff he "...asked the lady behind the counter if the grass runways were open and she said yes."

Inspection of the airstrip after the accident revealed the grass was wet from recent rains. The pilot described the runway as "very soft and muddy with long grass."

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot attempted a touch and go on unsuitable terrain. A factor associated with the accident was the tall wet grass airstrip on which the touch and go was attempted.