Accident Overview
A special light sport airplane, carrying the pilot and his grandson, departed on runway 18 from a turf airstrip. The runway measured 2,313 feet in length and 50 feet in width, with a downward slope toward the middle and composed of sandy, soft soil. The airplane weighed approximately 1,250 pounds at departure, below the maximum gross weight of 1,320 pounds.
Weather Conditions
At the time of the accident, the recorded wind at an airport located 9 miles west of the accident airport was from 150 degrees at 4 knots.
Witness Account
A witness observed the takeoff. The pilot attempted to rotate and climb but did not lower the airplane's pitch attitude to gain airspeed in ground effect. The airplane first contacted the ground about 1,600 feet from the initial takeoff point, then again about 2,500 feet from that point. The witness stated that the pilot continued the takeoff roll and the airplane wallowed in ground effect. Subsequently, the right wing impacted a tree approximately 15 feet above ground level. The airplane then came to rest inverted and a postcrash fire consumed the airplane.
Pilot Report
The pilot reported that the engine was operating properly and that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions. When asked about prevention, the pilot indicated that the accident could have been avoided by aborting the takeoff when the airplane first touched down on the soft soil.