FTW97LA250

During the full power takeoff with the flaps at 25 degrees, the airplane became airborne about 1,500 feet down the grass runway. After clearing a high line at the departure end of the runway, the '[air]plane stopped climbing.' Upon observing a tree line, the pilot turned the airplane 90 degrees to the east and the '[air]plane started to mush.' After the pilot got the airplane to straight flight, the airplane 'mushed to the ground.' The pilot reported that the '[air]plane appeared to be under full power.' The airplane was destroyed by the post crash fire. The weight at the time of takeoff was 2,260 pounds (maximum gross 2,325 pounds) with a field elevation of 330 feet and a temperature of 97 degrees Fahrenheit. The calculated density altitude was 2,800 feet.

On July 4, 1997, at 1150 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140 airplane, N1798J, owned by a private individual and operated under Title 14 CFR Part 91, was destroyed following a forced landing near Ashdown, Arkansas. The private pilot and three passengers received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local personal flight and a flight plan was not filed. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

During personal interviews, conducted by the investigator-in-charge, and on the Pilot/Operator Report, the pilot reported that the flight originated at Atlanta, Texas, at approximately 1030 with one passenger and flew to Garrison Field at Ashdown to pick up two additional passengers. En route to Ashdown, the pilot tuned the aircraft radio to the Texarkana ATIS and obtained the local altimeter setting of 30.00 inches of Mercury with wind from the west at 9 knots. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 18 at the grass airstrip and two additional passengers boarded the aircraft for the local flight.

The pilot reported that he extended the flaps to 25 degrees and applied full engine power before starting the takeoff roll. The airplane became airborne about 1,500 feet down the grass runway and started the initial takeoff climb. After clearing a high line at the departure end of the runway, the "[air]plane stopped climbing." Upon observing a tree line, the pilot turned the airplane 90 degrees to the east and the "[air]plane started to mush." After the pilot "got [the airplane] back to straight flight, the airplane "mushed to the ground." The pilot reported that the "[air]plane appeared to be under full power." The pilot and passengers exited the airplane; however, the pilot saw smoke coming from the engine cowling and within 15 minutes the airplane was destroyed by the post crash fire.

Maximum allowable gross weight of the airplane is 2,325 pounds. The pilot reported the weight at the time of takeoff was 2,260 pounds with a field elevation of 330 feet and a temperature of 97 degrees Fahrenheit. The investigator-in-charge calculated the density altitude at 2,800 feet.