What happened
The pilot initiated takeoff operations from a sod airstrip that was wet due to recent rainfall. During the ground roll, the pilot noted that acceleration to midfield was approximately 5 mph slower than normal performance expectations. Beyond the midfield point, the aircraft encountered soft ground conditions which caused it to stop accelerating effectively.
Despite the reduced airspeed, the airplane managed to lift off just before reaching the trees located beyond the runway end. However, the aircraft clipped these scrub trees at an altitude of 20 feet above the ground. Following this impact, the airplane fell to the ground.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the takeoff performance and environmental conditions. The wet sod strip contributed to reduced acceleration. The soft ground beyond midfield prevented further speed gain. The proximity of trees to the runway end limited clearance options.