20030608017589A

(-23) On June 8, 2003, about 1900 EDT, a Piper PA-28-140, N560FL, was substantially damaged during the initial climb after takeoff from a Private grass airstrip in ledyard, NY. The certificated Private pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR part 91. During an interview, the pilot stated that he performed a normal engine run-up, and made a rolling takeoff to the south, on his 2,000-foot-long, 60-foot-wide, grass runway. The airplane was configured with "two notches" of flaps, he rotated at 60 mph, and climbed at 75 mph. The pilot then realized that the airplane was not climbing fast enough to clear the 50-foot-high trees located at the end of the runway. As the airplane approached the trees, the pilot made a right turn; however, the left wing struck a tree and the airplane came to rest in a field. The pilot further stated that he did not experience any mechanical malfunctions, and "everything seemed perfectly normal." Winds reported at an airport about 15 miles southwest of the accident site, at 1853, were from 150 degrees at 10 knots, with 17 knot gusts.