FTW01LA019

After a normal preflight and run-up of the single engine airplane with 4 occupants, the pilot commenced take off for the bright night VMC local flight. Initial rotation was uneventful, and a positive rate of climb was established. As the gear retracted, the engine decreased its power output, and the pilot could not maintain level flight. Upon realizing that obstacles at the departure end of the runway were not going to be cleared, the pilot turned to the left as the aircraft continued its descent. Prior to touchdown in a grassy area, the pilot 'pulled power' and lowered the landing gear. Just after touchdown, the right wing struck a guy wire, tearing the wing from the fuselage. The aircraft then struck a fence post adjacent to a building. The airplane was within its certified maximum gross weight at take off. No pre-existing engine anomalies were found after the accident, and usable fuel was present.

On November 10, 2000, approximately 0130 central standard time, a Piper PA-28R, single engine airplane, N2068T, registered to DE Aviation of Laporte, Texas, and operated by Harvey and Rihn Aviation of Laporte, Texas, was substantially damaged after colliding with a non-directional beacon (NDB) antenna and a fence during a forced landing after take off from runway 30 at the Laporte Municipal Airport, Laporte, Texas. The private pilot and his 3 passengers were not injured. Bright night visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The pilot reported that he and his 3 passengers intended to make a scenic night flight around the local area. After a normal preflight and run-up, the pilot taxied onto Runway 30 and commenced take off. The initial rotation to flight "seemed uneventful" as the pilot raised the landing gear, and a "positive rate of climb was established." As the "gear went into transition" [retracted], the "engine seemed to put out an immediate decrease in power." The pilot then "quickly" lowered the nose to maintain airspeed. The airspeed did not increase and the attitude was level, so the pilot "let the nose pitch down to maintain controllable flight." Upon realizing that obstacles at the departure end of the runway were not going to be cleared, the pilot turned to the left as the aircraft continued to "sink toward the ground." Prior to touchdown in a grassy area, the pilot "pulled power" and lowered the landing gear. Just after touchdown, the right wing struck an NDB antenna support wire [guy wire], tearing the wing from the fuselage. The aircraft then struck a fence post adjacent to the NDB building.

The certified maximum gross weight of the airplane was 2,600 lbs. The pilot, who weighs 190 lbs., reported the weights of his passengers to be 140, 160, and 160 lbs., respectively. The fuel load was 45 gallons, approximately 270 lbs. According to operator's records, the empty weight of N2068T was 1583.5 lbs., which made its useful load 1016.5 lbs. Utilizing the weight information provided by the pilot, the combined load at the time of takeoff was estimated at 956 lbs., thus making the gross weight at take off approximately 2503.5 lbs.

Visual examination of the aircraft by an FAA Inspector and the operator did not discover any pre-existing anomalies. Usable fuel was present. Damage to the engine precluded a post-accident test run.