FTW99LA167

The commercial pilot landed hard after she delayed aborting the takeoff from a grass airstrip with powerlines at the departure end. The engine was developed full power during the takeoff roll to the south with the flaps extended 10 degrees. About half way down the runway, at approximately 60 knots, she raised the nose of the airplane and became airborne. The airplane climbed to about 25 feet agl and drifted to the left of the runway as she maintained 60 knots in a nose-high attitude. When she applied back pressure, the stall warning horn sounded, so she relaxed the back pressure. The pilot became concerned that the airplane might not be able to clear the power lines at the departure end of the airstrip, and elected to abort the takeoff. The pilot reported a 'very hard landing' in a nose low attitude. The winds at the 2,500 feet long grass airstrip were reported as light. The airstrip was not reported to have any obstacles or powerlines when departing to the north. The grass at the airstrip was reported to be 6-inches tall. The temperature was reported as 'a very humid 85 degrees. ' Density altitude was calculated at 1,996 feet.

On June 12, 1999, at 0930 central daylight time, a Cessna 172D airplane, N2460Y, was substantially damaged during a hard landing following an aborted takeoff from a grass airstrip near Jonesboro, Arkansas. The instrument rated commercial pilot and her 3 passengers were not injured. The airplane was registered to a private individual and operated by Swink Aviation of Pocahontas, Arkansas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight for which a flight plan was not filed. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The pilot reported to the FAA inspector that as part of the annual aviation day activities at Marty's Classic Airport she had planned a local orientation flight for three local "EAA Young Eagles."

The pilot stated that she began her takeoff roll to the south with the flaps extended 10 degrees as she verified the engine was developing 2,600 rpm. About half way down the runway, at approximately 60 knots, she raised the nose of the airplane and became airborne. The airplane climbed to about 25 feet agl and drifted to the left side of the runway as she maintained 60 knots in a nose-high attitude. The pilot stated that when she applied back pressure, the stall warning horn sounded, so she relaxed the back pressure. The pilot became concerned that the airplane might not be able to clear the power lines at the departure end of the airstrip, and elected to abort the takeoff.

The pilot reported that she entered a gentle right bank to get back over the runway, lowered the nose of the airplane and reduced the engine power to idle. She reported a "very hard landing" in a nose low attitude.

Examination of the airplane by an FAA licensed mechanic and the operator revealed that the engine firewall sustained structural damage. Additionally, the propeller was damaged, the nose landing gear was offset, and the windshield cracked.

The mechanic further stated that the airplane's fuel cells were nearly full (approximately 34 gallons). He added that the aircraft's propeller had been recently changed from a climb propeller to cruise propeller. The pilot and the operator reported that they calculated that the airplane was 80 to 90 pounds below its gross weight at the time of the accident.

The operator reported that at the time of the accident, the winds at the 2,500 foot long grass airstrip were reported as light. The airstrip is not reported to have any obstacles or powerlines when departing to the north. The pilot reported that the grass on the airstrip was 6-inches tall. The temperature was reported as "a very humid 85 degrees. "

The investigator-in-charge calculated the density altitude at 1,996 feet.