Accident Overview
A pilot experienced a problematic takeoff roll while attempting to depart from a runway with cracks and grass growing in them. According to the pilot, he engaged 10 degrees of flaps, held the brakes, and applied full power, but the takeoff roll was extremely bumpy and the airplane was not accelerating as expected. The remaining available runway was decreasing, and trees were present at the end of the runway. The pilot decided not to abort the takeoff, believing he could not stop before reaching the trees.
Pilot's Account
The pilot stated that he felt the airplane's acceleration was being impeded by the cracks on the runway which had grass growing in them. He therefore transitioned to a soft-field takeoff technique. Initially, the climbout was "okay," but the proximity and height of the trees required him to maintain approximately 60 knots. At that airspeed, the aircraft seemed less and less responsive. He attempted to lower the pitch to increase airspeed a couple of times during the climbout, but the aircraft remained unresponsive. The pilot reported that the "plane failed to provide the necessary lift in order to continue the climbout, and nose-dived to the ground."
Witness Observation
A witness observed the accident aircraft rotate at the midfield point and remain in an extreme nose-up attitude during climbout. The witness then saw the aircraft "mush," after which the left wing rose briefly, and the aircraft turned to the left, descended, and impacted the ground.
Postcrash Examination
An FAA Inspector, along with representatives from Cessna Aircraft Company and Textron Lycoming Company, conducted postcrash examinations of the accident aircraft. No preaccident failures or malfunctions were found with the aircraft structure, the flight control system, or the engine. The inspector also noted that the pilot had elected to take off using an upsloping runway, towards rising terrain, with trees at the end of the runway. The wind velocity was about 4 knots at the time of the accident.