20020705014859A

(.19) On July 5, 2002, at 1628 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 150, N8894G, was substantially damaged during a forced landing shortly after take-off from an alfalfa field in Griswold, Connecticut. The non-certificated pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR part 91. In a written statement, the pilot said that he made an emergency landing in an alfalfa field due to smoke in the cockpit. He then had to wait two weeks for the property owner to mow the field before he could take-off. The pilot said the alfalfa field was approximately 2,000 feet long with a 25 foot tree line at the end. He described the field as rolling and a little bumpy. The pilot taxied to the FAR end of the field and departed to the north/northwest. He said: "while going over the rolling hill (nose off the ground), making a slight left turn, I had to be careful so the wings would not make ground contact. I then became airborne for about 2 seconds, then made ground contact again. At this point, I knew I should have aborted, but elected to continue." "For the next 30 to 40 yards at 50-55 mph indicated airspeed the nose wheel was off the ground. About 40 yards after the hill, the mains came off the ground and I was airborne. I cleared the trees at the end of the field by about 10 feet, and then lost lift (downdraft). I saw that I wasn't going to make it, so I chopped power and lowered the nose so I wouldn't stall. I made a short flare and hit hard in [another] alfalfa field." Two witnesses observed the airplane depart from the field, which was located behind their homes. According to a witness, she heard the airplane taxiing around in the backyard and called her aunt, who lives next door to find out what the pilot was doing. Her aunt said that the pilot intended to take-off the following day and was just testing the field. According to the witness: "I saw the plane lights come on and heard the engine rev. The plane took-off from near the beach to the left of my house. Shortly after, I heard a crash. My aunt called me back to say the plane definitely crashed." A second witness said she heard the pilot start the airplane's engine and taxi down toward her niece's home. The witness said that her niece called and said that the pilot was definitely going to take-off. According to the witness: "I went out and sure enough he was in the air - not too high - close to trees near our garage and went higher and instantly took a nose dive." A third witness said that the airplane departed with a 8-10 knot tailwind, and the tail of the airplane brushed the tree tops as it flew over them. A federal aviation administration (FAA) inspector performed an on-scene examination. According to the inspector, the firewall was buckled, and both wings were damaged. No mechanical deficiencies were noted with the airplane or engine. The FAA suspended the pilot's certificates and ratings in 1999. Additionally, the pilot's most recent FAA medical certificate was issued on may 21, 1998, and he did not have a current biennial flight review. The pilot reported a total of 5,000 flight hours, of which 2,000 hours were in make and model. He also reported that there were no mechanical deficiencies. Weather at groton/new london (gon) airport, groton/new london, Connecticut, 16 NM southwest, at 1606, included wind from 320 degrees at 12 knots gusting to 21 knots, clear skies, temperature 79 degrees f, and dewpoint 55 degrees f. additionally, spruce airport, a private airport with a 1,735 foot long grass runway, was located directly across the street from the alfalfa field. According to the FAA inspector, the airport owner had offered to help the pilot move the airplane to the airport for a small fee. The pilot refused the offer.(-23) the aircraft had been parked for the past two weeks in a farmer's alfalfa field located behind 151 bitgood road and 111 bitgood road, in Griswold, Connecticut. The aircraft was in this field following an emergency landing on or around June 20, 2002. The pilot, norman greenwood said he had smoke in the cockpit due to a starter fuse. However, phil yurechko sr. and phil yurechko, jr. of spruce airport CT43 (located across the street about a 1/10 of a mile away),privacy data omitted (where aircraft was parked for 2 weeks) said it is common knowledge that he ran out of gas. privacy data omitted Said he only added gas to the aircraft. The field is approx. 1700-1800 feet long running 70 degrees and 250 degrees with rolling bumpy terrain and a 25 ft tree/brush line at the 250 degree west south west end. On July 5, 2002, at approx. 1624, aircraft 8894G, a Cessna model 150F, began a takeoff roll from the FAR end (east south east corner) of the fi eld behind 151 bitgood road with a 250 degree heading toward 111 bitgood road. (Witness privacy data omitted said he had an 8-10 knot tailwind at the time and believes the tail of the aircraft brushed the trees). Note: on 07/10/2002, I noted some displaced brown leaves in one area at the top of the trees in line with the stated flight path and ground impact area. The accident site shows signs of a flat impact in the alfalfa. There was a second impact area about 20 feet beyond the initial impact where the aircraft traveled along the ground coming to rest about 60 ft from the initial impact area. The aircraft was found in a 10 degree heading with the nose of the aircraft supported with wooden 4X4'S. The nose gear was found along side the house on 107 bitgood road. Scene investigation report to follow at a later date.