PA-32 Cherokee Six/Lance/Saratoga/6X
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 20; Flight Crew Total 500; Flight Crew Type 20
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Diverted; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Aircraft
Taking off; I had rotated and lifted off about halfway down the runway; but stayed close to the runway to accelerate in ground effect; when about 2/3's of the runway down; I lost engine power. The engine was still running at reduced power; but I was descending. Landing straight ahead was impractical; so seeing the highway did not have any cars driving on it; I opted to land on the southbound two lanes. Since the engine was still running; on touch down I taxied to a cross over to clear the road for traffic. Emergency responders were notified; and came to assist in towing the airplane from the road back to the airport.
PA32 pilot experiences a power loss shortly after takeoff and determines insufficient runway remains to land straight ahead and elects to land on an adjacent highway without damage or injury.