Piper PA-32-260 N4727S accident near Applegate, Michigan

Probable cause

The pilot’s decision to attempt to take off from an unimproved field, which resulted in a collapsed nose landing gear.

NTSB analysis

Earlier in the day, the pilot inadvertently landed on a plowed field; the airplane was not damaged during the landing. Later, the pilot returned and attempted to take off. The airplane's nose landing gear collapsed when it got stuck in the mud during the takeoff. The pilot reported that his intent was to taxi the airplane on local roads to a nearby airfield; however, in a recording of a conversation between the pilot and a flight service station agent, the pilot stated that he “got stuck in the mud on departure.” When asked by the agent if there was any damage to the airplane, he responded that there was. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN12LA339 for the full record.