Event Narrative
The airplane lifted off while in ground effect, then veered to the left. Subsequently, the airplane touched down off the runway in soft dirt and overturned. Prior to the event, the pilot had landed at Cliff Dwellers Lodge in anticipation of launching on a rafting trip. Lodge personnel informed the pilot that his party would be leaving from nearby Marble Canyon. The pilot did not shut the airplane down and instead taxied back for takeoff on runway 22.
Runway and Takeoff Details
Runway 22 was a dirt runway, 40 feet wide and 3,820 feet long, with an elevation of 4,217 feet. The pilot used 20 degrees of flaps for takeoff. The wind was calm. The runway was rough and jostled the airplane more than the pilot was accustomed to. The pilot departed from midfield, and the runway sloped uphill in the direction of departure.
Pilot's Operating Handbook Guidance
The Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH) states that a minimum ground run takeoff can be accomplished using 20 degrees of flaps and leaving the ground in a slightly tail-low attitude. However, the POH directs the pilot to immediately level off and accelerate to a safe climb speed.