THE DTSB
The Probable Cause of this accident Pilot Error, in that the pilot failed to reject this takeoff in the instant that the takeoff became abnormal. The pilot over looked a preflight item which should re set the elevator trim to neutral prior to boarding. The same critical item was missed on the before taxi checklist as well as the before takeoff checklist. During the application of power, the aircraft, trimmed to full nose up from the previous landing, lifted off the runway and flew prematurely, with some of the weight off the main landing gear, but leaving some tire tracks intermittently in it’s path. Various areas with tire tracks were observed throughout the large grass field. The aircraft was pulled to the left due to torque and P factor of the engine. The aircraft left the runway in a nose high condition and partially flying in ground effect, whereupon the left wing struck a large hay bail before the aircraft continued some distance further. The throttle was never closed during the entire sequence. Upon impacting the trees, an explosion occurred, and then a postimpact fire consumed most of the wreckage. The occupants were not able to egress due to airframe damage and injury.