Accident
During takeoff from runway 01, the airplane lifted off approximately 1,000 feet down the 1,800-foot long wet turf runway. The pilot reported feeling a "strong breeze, almost a tailwind," after which the airplane began to settle downward and touched back down on the runway surface. The airplane then bounced into the air and would not climb out of ground effect.
Pilot Decision
The pilot decided not to abort the takeoff, fearing that the nosewheel would sink into the muddy runway and cause the airplane to flip over. As the airplane continued past the departure end of the runway, it still would not climb, and the pilot performed a forced landing to a marsh area.
Pilot Statement
After the accident, the pilot stated that he "should have aborted the takeoff when he first had the chance to." The pilot also stated that the maximum allowable gross weight of the airplane was 2,350 pounds, and the takeoff weight at the time of the accident was 2,240 pounds.
Flight Manual Data
Review of the Airplane Flight Manual revealed that the total takeoff ground roll from a level, dry, hard surfaced runway was about 1,248 feet. No charts were available to compute a ground roll distance from a wet turf runway.
Weather Information
Winds reported by an airport located about 7 miles west of the accident site at 1151 were from 150 degrees at 5 knots.