Event Description
Prior to the accident, the pilot had not previously operated from the airstrip. During the takeoff roll, the airplane traversed a soft spot in the runway surface. Subsequently, the aircraft began to veer to the left. The pilot was unable to correct the deviation, and the airplane departed the left side of the runway, colliding with a tree.
Runway and Weight Information
The runway was constructed of soft turf and measured 1,515 feet in length and 110 feet in width. A review of the pilot's weight and balance calculations revealed that the airplane's gross weight at the time of takeoff was approximately 300 pounds above the maximum allowable gross takeoff weight.