Accident Details
The pilot, who held a commercial certificate and had accumulated 1,010 total flight hours including 184 hours in the same make and model, was attempting a short/soft field takeoff from a 2,000-foot grass airstrip oriented southwest. The takeoff was conducted from Runway 22. According to the pilot, shortly after liftoff the airplane began to bank to the left. He applied full right aileron but could not stop the rolling motion.
Witness Observation
An eyewitness at the airport reported that during rotation, the nose of the airplane attained a pronounced nose-high attitude, and the airplane appeared to "jump" off the ground. The airplane subsequently struck the ground left wing first, followed by the propeller and then the left side of the engine cowling.
Aircraft Background
The pilot had gone to the airport to pick up the airplane after it had undergone airframe maintenance, which included repairs to the ailerons, flaps, rudder, flight instruments, and avionics. An earlier test pilot had flown the airplane on three separate flights to make rigging adjustments and reported that all flight characteristics were normal.
Post-Accident Examination
FAA inspectors responded to the accident site and established continuity of the flight controls. Based on photographs taken at the scene, they reported that the elevator trim was in the full-up position at the time of the accident. The airplane was not equipped with shoulder harnesses. The position of the wing flaps was not determined.