What happened
During local thunderstorm activity, the pilot attempted a takeoff from runway 08. The runway featured an uphill gradient of 2.2 percent, and winds were reported from the southeast at 10 to 15 knots.
As the aircraft climbed, the pilot raised the landing gear at approximately 50 feet above ground level (agl) and retracted the flaps. The takeoff proceeded without incident, aside from light turbulence, until the aircraft reached an altitude between 75 and 100 feet agl. At this point, the airplane began to descend.
The pilot responded by applying full power and increasing the pitch attitude; however, the descent could not be arrested. Realizing that ground contact was imminent, the pilot extended the landing gear. Before the gear reached the fully extended position, the propeller struck the runway surface. The resulting vibration prompted the pilot to abort the takeoff. Following the strike, the aircraft traveled beyond the departure end of the runway and entered rocky terrain. The occupants were not injured.
Findings
An analysis of the event indicates that the descent occurred after the pilot had already retracted the flaps and raised the landing gear.