On June 16, 1996, about 1230 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Piper PA-18, N8796D, crashed during takeoff from a remote area, about 16 miles west of Nikiski, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country personal flight when the accident occurred. The airplane, registered to and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. On June 16, 1996, at 2030, the pilot reported in a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) that he had been fishing in the area of Trading Bay, Alaska, and was departing a landing area that he had visited many times in the past. The takeoff area was about 800 feet long and contained some areas of about 3 feet high grass. The takeoff area also contained areas of soft terrain and water. During the takeoff run, the airplane became airborne momentarily and then settled back to the surface. The right main landing gear tire struck a stump and the left wing contacted the ground. The airplane then nosed down in the soft terrain. It received damage to the propeller, left wing tip, and left aileron.