Background
The pilot was departing from an off-airport site located atop a mountain ridgeline. The site was rough and uneven, covered with tundra, and required a correction for a variable 10 knot left crosswind. The takeoff run was uphill.
Sequence of Events
During the takeoff roll, the airplane hit a series of bumps and ruts, causing it to become airborne prematurely. As the airplane continued to bounce, the pilot braced himself against the rudder pedals and inadvertently depressed the brakes. When the airplane settled back to the ground and the wheels touched down, the airplane slowed. To avoid rising terrain ahead and in an attempt to gain airspeed, the pilot turned the airplane to the left and downslope. The airplane then continued to descend and collided with brush-covered terrain, sustaining substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage.
Post-Accident Findings
The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunction or failure with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot also noted that he failed to use the predeparture checklist. A postaccident inspection revealed that the propeller pitch control was found to be in a cruise power setting.