What happened
The pilot reported that he had just lifted off from a 2300-foot wet grass strip when he sustained a partial power loss. He estimated the grass height to be between six inches and one foot at the time of the incident. The aircraft struck an embankment located at the end of the runway, which resulted in the landing gear being sheared off.
Weather conditions at the location included an air temperature of 96 degrees Fahrenheit and light winds. The elevation was recorded at 25 feet. The pilot stated that he was not comfortable with these conditions. A witness observed that the pilot did not use all of the available runway and overrotated during the takeoff, causing the tail to drag.
The pilot claimed he used flaps as specified in the flight handbook. However, a post-crash examination of the trailing edge of the flaps revealed no ground damage. The aircraft's engine was test-run after the accident and performed satisfactorily within normal limits.