Accident Details
According to the pilot, the event occurred while repositioning a tailwheel airplane from a grass strip measuring 720 feet to an airport for maintenance. The pilot had computed a takeoff distance of 450 feet and completed two practice takeoff runs to verify the airplane's capability from the short runway.
Takeoff and Impact
During the practice runs, approximately 400 feet down the runway, when the airspeed indicated 50 knots, the tail "came up normal" and the pilot aborted the takeoff. On the accident takeoff, about 400 feet into the roll, the airplane encountered a "dip," briefly became airborne, then settled back onto the runway. The pilot continued the takeoff and rotated the airplane 100 feet prior to a cornfield located off the departure end of the runway. The pilot attempted to gain altitude, but the airplane struck corn stalks and descended into terrain.
Damage
The impact resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage, wings, and engine firewall. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies with the airplane.
Weather
The winds reported at an airport 30 miles north of the accident location were calm.