Accident Overview
A private pilot conducted a soft-field takeoff from a 2,450-foot-long, 55-foot-wide turf runway at night. The aircraft drifted to the left side of the runway during the attempt.
Pilot Report
The pilot, who held 81 hours of flight time, reported that the combination of the nose-high attitude typical of a soft-field takeoff, the bouncing caused by the rough terrain, and the nonstandard runway edge lights, which were spaced infrequently, made it challenging to assess the airplane's proximity to the runway edge. Before the pilot could become aware of the aircraft's position on the runway and take corrective action, the airplane impacted foliage and subsequently descended a steep embankment.
Sequence of Events
After striking the foliage, the airplane traveled down the embankment, rotating approximately 180 degrees to the left during the descent. It came to rest in thick vegetation. The wind conditions at the time of the accident were light.
Investigation Notes
The investigation did not identify a specific probable cause. The runway surface and lighting characteristics were noted as factors in the pilot's difficulty maintaining runway alignment.