NTSB Factual Report

On June 17, 2001, at 1230 central daylight time, an amateur built Larson Murphy Rebel, N622GL, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage during an in-flight collision with an electric fence, following a takeoff from a field near Stratford, Wisconsin. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 and was not on a flight plan. The pilot and one passenger sustained no injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident with an intended destination of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

According to the pilot, a precautionary landing was made in a farmers field due to weather conditions. The pilot said that he attempted a takeoff, on another day, and that, "after liftoff the aircraft contacted a wire fence which slowed the aircraft down. The aircraft contacted the soft ground and flipped over into its back." In a written report, the pilot indicated that there were no mechanical malfunctions of the aircraft.

According to a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector, the field used for takeoff had tall grass and rising terrain in the direction of the takeoff.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to abort the takeoff from the farm field. Factors were the tall grass, the rising terrain, the fence, and the inadequate planning/decision by the pilot.