CHI94LA324

Upon reaching his destination, the pilot had difficulty identifying the correct airstrip on which he had intended to land because he was unfamiliar with the area. After landing, the pilot realized that he had mistaken a corn field for the airstrip. He decided to takeoff from the corn field to relocate the airplane to the correct airstrip. With ten degrees of flaps and full power, the pilot attempted to takeoff. When the airplane had not become airborne at a predetermined point, he decided to abort the takeoff. The pilot locked the brakes and the airplane skidded across the wet field and into trees. The pilot states he remembered to reduce the throttle after he had locked the brakes.

On September 10, 1994, at 0800 central daylight time, a Cessna 172, N98525, was substantially damaged when it struck trees while taking off from a field in Warrenton, Missouri. The pilot reported no injuries. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight originated from Peoria, Illinois, at 0540 on a VFR flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time.

In a written statement, the pilot reported he and a passenger were en route to a private airstrip in Warrenton. When they reached the Warrenton area, the pilot had difficulty identifying the airstrip on which they had intended to land. The pilot states he was unfamiliar with the area. After landing on what he assumed was the correct field, he realized that he had landed on a corn field. The corn field's surface consisted of six to ten inch wet grass, six inch corn stock stumps, and sparse weeds.

The pilot states he decided to takeoff from the field to relocate the airplane to the proper airstrip. The passenger got out of the airplane prior to the attempted takeoff. With ten degrees of flaps and full power, he attempted to takeoff from the field diagonally in order to use all available space. When the airplane had not become airborne by a predetermined point on the field, the pilot decided to abort the takeoff. He applied the brakes and the airplane skidded across the wet grass into trees which lined the perimeter of the field. The pilot reported to the FAA that only after he locked the brakes did he remember to reduce the throttle.