CHI03LA309

The amateur-built airplane was substantially damaged when it hit a roadway sign and subsequently impacted the terrain immediately after takeoff from a gravel road. The pilot had reportedly made a precautionary landing due to deteriorating weather. Approximately 3 hours after the precautionary landing, the weather cleared and the pilot felt that he would be able to takeoff safely. During the takeoff roll, the aircraft began "hopping" on the gravel, according to the pilot. He reportedly transitioned to a soft field takeoff procedure, but the aircraft started "sliding on the gravel." The pilot noted that he rotated prematurely and due to the gradual downhill terrain, was soon out of ground effect. He stated: "I decided to climb out straight ahead and go under the power lines. I lowered the nose for speed and thought that I had cleared the stop sign." However, the left main landing gear caught the sign causing the aircraft to flip over and subsequently impact the terrain.

On September 11, 2003, at 1553 central daylight time, an amateur-built Strother KR2, N60MS, piloted by an airline transport pilot, was substantially damaged when it hit a roadway sign and subsequently impacted the terrain immediately after takeoff from a gravel road near Clarinda, Iowa. The pilot had executed a precautionary landing due to weather and was attempting to reposition the aircraft to the Schenck Field Airport (ICL) located 6 miles to the southeast when the accident occurred. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 and was not on a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. The pilot reported minor injuries.

The pilot's written statement noted that earlier in the day, the flight departed the Chillicothe Municipal Airport (CHT), Chillicothe, Missouri, with an intended destination of Red Oak Municipal Airport (RDK), Red Oak, Iowa. The pilot reported that as the flight passed ICL visibility was at 7 miles. However, he stated that when the flight was within 12 miles of RDK the weather began deteriorating rapidly. The pilot reported that he turned back toward ICL but was unable to maintain visual meteorological conditions. He elected to make a precautionary landing on a gravel road approximately 6 miles northwest of ICL.

Approximately 3 hours after the precautionary landing, the weather had cleared and the pilot felt that he would be able to takeoff safely. During the takeoff roll, the aircraft began "hopping" on the gravel, according to the pilot. He reportedly transitioned to a soft field takeoff procedure, but the aircraft started "sliding on the gravel." The pilot noted that he rotated prematurely and due to the gradual downhill terrain, was soon out of ground effect. He stated: "I decided to climb out straight ahead and go under the power lines. I lowered the nose for speed and thought that I had cleared the stop sign." However, the left main landing gear caught the sign causing the aircraft to flip over and subsequently impact terrain.

The pilot reported no failures or malfunctions with the aircraft prior to the accident.