Incident Overview
A pilot, returning to an airport, experienced a compelling physiological need and landed the aircraft in an open dirt field. During the subsequent takeoff ground roll from that field, the aircraft encountered soft soil and nosed over.
Sequence of Events
According to the pilot's statement to responding county sheriff's deputies, he landed the aircraft in an open dirt field while returning to the airport because of a physiological need. In a written statement to the Safety Board, the pilot further reported that during the takeoff ground roll just prior to rotation, the engine started to run rough. He aborted the takeoff but could not stop before encountering a plowed area of the field.
Investigative Findings
The engine was removed from the aircraft and taken to an engine repair facility. It was installed in a test cell, where it started on the first attempt and ran smoothly throughout all normal power ranges.