Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot’s improper decision to takeoff from a wet grass runway which did not allow for adequate braking traction when the pilot aborted the takeoff, which resulted in a runway excursion.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that, he performed a soft field takeoff on the wet grass airstrip. The airplane was just below rotation speed as he approached midfield and moments later the airplane lifted off momentarily, then settled back to the ground. The pilot chose to abort the takeoff just past midfield and applied braking action. The airplane did not have enough braking traction due to the wet surface and subsequently ran off the end of the airstrip, collided with a fence and came to rest nose first in a canal. The engine mount and firewall were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.