Incident Overview
A pilot conducting a landing and passenger drop-off subsequently attempted a takeoff. According to the airport manager, unusually warm weather had caused frost to leave the ground, making the runway surface soft due to many gopher mounds.
Sequence of Events
The aircraft lifted off approximately three-quarters of the way down the runway, climbing to an altitude of 40 to 50 feet. It continued straight along the runway alignment but then began to lose altitude, eventually colliding with a hill at the end of the runway.
Airport Conditions
The airport manager noted that the gopher mounds were very soft, likely affecting the aircraft's performance during the takeoff roll.