What happened
The pilot initiated takeoff from an unpaved grass strip where the vegetation was reported to be between three and five inches in height. During the ground roll, the aircraft failed to achieve the necessary airspeed for flight due to the resistance caused by the tall grass. In an attempt to become airborne prematurely, the pilot pulled back on the controls before reaching the required flying speed.
As the aircraft lifted off just above a cornfield bordering the end of the runway, the corn stalks were approximately six to eight feet tall. Shortly after leaving the ground, the stall warning horn activated, indicating an aerodynamic stall. The left wing subsequently dropped, causing the aircraft to descend rapidly into the crop field. The accident concluded with the airplane coming to rest in an upside-down position.
Findings
The primary factor contributing to this accident was the pilot's decision to attempt a takeoff from a surface with excessive vegetation height, which impeded acceleration. This led to a premature rotation and a subsequent stall at a very low altitude, leaving insufficient time or height for recovery.