Incident Overview
During the takeoff roll on a grass runway, the airplane encountered a bump that forced it to lift off the runway several knots under the normal rotation speed. The airplane then descended to the left, impacting trees off the left side of the runway, and came to rest in a swampy area. The accident resulted in substantial damage to the wings.
Pilot Account
The pilot reported that no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures existed with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. According to the pilot, the bump on the grass runway was the reason for the premature liftoff and subsequent loss of control.
Runway Inspection
Federal Aviation Administration inspectors examined the runway after the accident and found it to be in satisfactory condition, with no evidence of bumps. The inspection did not confirm the pilot's account of a bump on the runway surface.