Incident Overview
A pilot performed a pre-takeoff engine run-up and found no problems before back-taxiing to runway 15. During the takeoff roll, the engine initially seemed fine. At 65-68 knots, the pilot rotated the aircraft but it did not become airborne. He allowed the aircraft to accelerate to 75 knots, then pulled back on the yoke. The aircraft lifted off and immediately torqued to the left, which the pilot attempted to counteract with right rudder. At this point, the pilot noted the engine seemed "diminished" but was not sputtering. He lowered the nose, and the aircraft began descending. The pilot lowered the landing gear and observed a small island of trees, where he set the aircraft down.
Passenger Account
The passenger seated in the right front seat stated that before takeoff, the pilot performed an engine check and it was running fine. During the takeoff roll, the pilot pulled the aircraft up at about 65 miles per hour. The passenger thought they were lifting off early because they still had over half of the runway remaining. The pilot pulled the nose up too steeply, and at about 300 feet, the airplane began to stall and the left wing dropped. The pilot attempted to gain speed by dropping the nose and leveling off, but they did not have enough altitude and the airplane descended into trees. According to the passenger, there was nothing wrong with the airplane.
Postcrash Examination
Postcrash examination and testing of the airplane structure, flight control systems, airplane and engine fuel system, engine, propeller, fuel control, propeller governor, and the stall warning system switch showed no evidence of precrash failure or malfunction.