Incident Overview
A pilot reported that during takeoff on a 2,700-foot sod runway, the airplane encountered a soft spot that reduced its groundspeed by an estimated 15 to 20 miles per hour. Despite the deceleration, the pilot continued the takeoff attempt. The aircraft subsequently struck trees at the end of the runway, fell to the ground, and burst into flames.
Probable Cause
The official probable cause of the accident was the pilot-in-command's failure to abort the takeoff. The soft condition of the runway surface was listed as a contributing factor.
Sequence of Events
According to the pilot's statement, the takeoff was initiated on a sod runway. During the ground roll, the aircraft hit a soft area, causing a notable decrease in speed. Rather than aborting the takeoff, the pilot pressed on. The airplane overran the runway length and impacted trees. After striking the trees, the aircraft descended to the ground and was engulfed in fire.