What happened
During a ferry flight intended to relocate an aircraft for maintenance, the pilot attempted a takeoff from a private north/south oriented grass strip. The runway, measuring approximately 0.3 miles in length, featured grass between 3 and 4 inches long.
Video footage of the flight recorded that during the takeoff roll, the aircraft's tail dragged along the runway on two separate occasions. After the aircraft initially became airborne, it settled back onto the runway before lifting off a second time. Following the second liftoff, the airplane entered an increasingly steep right bank, eventually striking trees and terrain at the departure end of the runway. The impact resulted in the destruction of the aircraft.
In a written statement, the pilot noted that the aircraft hit ruts approximately 900 feet into the takeoff roll, causing the plane to bounce into the air. The pilot reported holding the nose down to build airspeed but stated that rotation occurred too late, leading to the collision with trees. The pilot also noted having no previous flight experience in this specific make and model of aircraft.
The investigation
A post-accident examination of the accident scene found no anomalies related to any pre-existing mechanical conditions. The pilot's report also listed no mechanical malfunctions occurring during the flight.