Accident Sequence
After the pilot taxied onto the runway for departure, he set the elevator trim wheel 1/2 inch nose down. He then announced his departure and applied full power. The pilot reported that he felt nose-down pressure from the beginning of the takeoff roll. As the airplane accelerated, the pilot wound off the trim. At 55 knots, the airplane rotated. Immediately after takeoff, according to the pilot, the airplane dove toward the runway. It struck the runway and bounced twice. The airplane then experienced a small bounce and landed on the main gear.
Pilot's Statement
The pilot stated that he experienced no flight control difficulties prior to the accident. He reported that the accident could have been caused by many possibilities, including a stall, excessive nose-down trim, or a relaxed yoke. Additionally, the pilot stated his normal procedure for takeoff was to apply about 1/2 inch of nose-down trim to keep the airplane on the runway.
Post-Accident Examination
After the accident, the elevator trim wheel was rotated without restriction. Examination of the airplane revealed no pre-impact failure of the flight controls.