Flight History
According to the pilot, he performed about 20 touch-and-go landings on the dry lake bed prior to the accident. He reported that the terrain was mostly flat, but uneven and rough in places.
Accident Landing
During the last landing, the airplane's wheels became bogged down in the terrain, resulting in the propeller striking the ground. The pilot shut down the engine, inspected the propeller, and examined the planned takeoff path for suitability.
Departure Attempt
After the inspection, the pilot attempted to depart. As the airplane accelerated, the left main landing gear encountered an area of soft dirt. The airplane subsequently impacted a berm, whereupon it nosed over.
Damage
The nose-over caused the wing structure and vertical stabilizer to bend.
Pilot Statement
The pilot further reported that no mechanical malfunction had precipitated the accident.