NYC94LA171

The certified flight instructor (CFI) and the student pilot were on a training flight and landed at a private sod strip. Upon landing on runway 36, the CFI taxied the airplane to the north end of the runway. The CFI then attempted to demonstrate a soft field takeoff to the student pilot on runway 18, a 2,150 foot long, sod runway. The airplane rotated about 300 feet from the end of the runway and struck 60 foot high trees, 10 feet from their tops, at the south end of the runway. Reported surface winds at an airport 7 miles east of the sod strip, were from 340 degrees at 10 knots. According to the pilot's operating handbook, with the flaps set to 10 degrees, a distance of about 1,466 feet was required for the takeoff roll, and a distance of 2,497 feet was required to clear a 50 foot obstacle.

On September 6, 1994, at 1645 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 152, N80235, operated by East Hill Flying Club and pilot by Lucy Morris, was substantially damaged during initial climb after takeoff from the Neno Airport, Enfield, New York. The certified flight instructor, Lucy Morris, and the student pilot received serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the flight operating under 14 CFR 141.

The dual instructional flight departed the Tompkins County Airport (ITH), Ithaca, New York, with a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certified flight instructor (CFI) and a student pilot. In the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the CFI stated that she suffered a head injury and does not specifically recall all of the details. She did state that they were practicing emergency procedures and the student pilot made a simulated power off approach to the Neno Airport (9N5). The CFI took over the flight controls on short final to 9N5 and completed the landing. The CFI further stated:

"...I was concerned about the possibility that there might be soft conditions at the south end of the landing strip, so I elected to depart from the north end, demonstrating a soft field takeoff to my student. The aircraft apparently was in control when it struck trees. I do not recall the specific weather conditions at the time. My recollection is that the conditions were good VFR with light winds."

A witness standing outside of a building next to the airport stated that he observed the airplane land from south to north and continue taxing to the north end of the runway. He further stated:

"...The airplane sat at the north end of the runway for about 10 minutes, then began to takeoff headed southward with the wind at its tail. By this time I was at the south end of the runway moving culvert pipe and when the plane was almost to the south end of the runway I could see that it wasn't high enough to clear the trees, and it crashed into the trees."

According to the FAA Inspector who responded to the scene, the actual sod runway length was 2,150 feet with grass 2 to 3 inches high. Runway 18 starts at an approximate elevation of 1,280 feet above mean sea level (MSL), and rises to about 1,300 feet MSL. Ground measurements taken by the FAA Inspector indicated the airplane lifted off runway 18, 300 feet before the end of runway. The airplane collided with 60 foot high trees about 10 feet from the tops. No reports of engine or airframe malfunction were received by the FAA Inspector.

The ITH winds at 1650, were reported to be from 340 degrees at 10 knots.

The estimated takeoff weight of N80235 from 9N5 was calculated to be about 1,619 pounds (lbs) using:

Airplane empty weight 1,163 lbs Fuel (estimate) 111 lbs CFI (from FAA Medical) 155 lbs Student Pilot (estimate) 170 lbs Miscellaneous 20 lbs

Takeoff conditions were computed using the Cessna 152 Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH), interpolating for 1,300 feet (FT) MSL, a temperature of 20 degrees centigrade, and using a maximum gross weight figure. The interpolated ground roll distance was 850 feet, and the 50 foot obstacle distance was 1,580 feet. Applying a 50 percent factor for the 10 knot tail wind, and a 15 percent factor for the sod runway as described in the POH, the estimated takeoff ground roll computed to 1,466 feet and the distance to clear 50 foot obstacles computed to 2,497 feet.

Utilizing the same conditions for a departure on runway 36, the estimated takeoff ground roll computed to less than 900 feet, and the distance to clear 50 foot obstacles computed to less than 1,700 feet.