What happened
The pilot landed the aircraft on a 2,000-foot grass runway located to the south of the field. After stopping, he executed a 180-degree turn on the same surface to prepare for departure in the opposite direction. The takeoff was directed toward the north, requiring the aircraft to climb an uphill gradient along a rough and uneven runway surface.
During the takeoff roll, the pilot accelerated to approximately 55 knots. Despite reaching this speed, the airplane failed to gain altitude. By the time it became apparent that the aircraft could not climb, it was too late for the pilot to abort the takeoff safely. The nose of the aircraft pitched up significantly as the pilot attempted to rotate. Shortly thereafter, the airplane impacted a line of trees located approximately 500 feet from the departure end of the runway.
The investigation
The physical evidence indicated that the aircraft struck trees shortly after becoming airborne. The short length of the grass strip, combined with the uphill slope and rough surface conditions, likely contributed to the inability to achieve sufficient airspeed and lift for a safe climbout.