CEN11CA400

Factual narrative

The pilot elected to perform a precautionary landing in a field due to a rough running engine. He inspected the engine and determined that he could fly the airplane back to the airport. The airplane was moved to a nearby gravel road for takeoff. During the takeoff, the left wing contacted high grass and rising terrain which bordered both sides of the road. The airplane's left wing began to drag and then the airplane cartwheeled approximately 180 degrees causing substantial damage to the airplane's right upper and lower wings and right elevator. The landing gear span on the airplane was approximately 8 feet, the road was approximately 15 feet wide, and the wingspan was about 25 feet. The pilot performed a precautionary landing to a field due to a rough running engine. After the landing, he decided that the airplane was airworthy, and attempted to take off from a nearby gravel road. During the takeoff roll, the airplane's left wing dragged in the high grass that bordered both sides of the road which caused the airplane to cartwheel approximately 180 degrees. The landing gear span on the airplane was approximately 8 feet, the road was approximately 15 feet wide, and the wingspan was about 25 feet. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

• C Personnel issues-Task performance-Planning/preparation-(general)-Pilot - C
• C Environmental issues-Physical environment-Terrain-Sloped/uneven-Awareness of condition - C