Preflight and Departure
A pilot conducted a preflight inspection, which included draining the sumps and carburetor. With a flight instructor occupying the right seat, the pilot taxied the airplane to the hold-short line of the 4,502-foot long runway and performed the engine run-up checks. No anomalies were observed, and the airplane departed on a local flight.
Touch-and-Go Maneuver
The pilot returned to the airport to execute a touch-and-go. The airplane touched down within the first quarter of the runway. The pilot advanced the throttle, and the airplane accelerated. The takeoff sequence was normal until the airplane reached approximately 150 feet above ground level (AGL), at which point the engine partially lost power.
Aborted Takeoff and Off-Runway Landing
The pilot aborted the takeoff. The instructor applied right rudder to direct the airplane toward a sod farm adjacent to the runway. The pilot asked, "Where we going?" The instructor responded, "Sod." The airplane touched down on the sod and then contacted a 3-foot berm before coming to a stop, approximately 1,400 feet short of the departure end of the runway.
Post-Accident Engine Examination
An engine run performed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) revealed no preimpact failures or malfunctions.