Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's inadequate preflight planning and his delayed aborted takeoff.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot was attempting a takeoff when the powered glider's acceleration seemed slower than normal. The pilot attributed the slower acceleration to the soft turf of the runway. He stated that the glider was unable to attain takeoff speed and that he made his decision to abort the takeoff too late. The glider then overran the runway and ground-looped when it hit a ditch. The glider sustained substantial damage, which included structural damage to the fuselage in the areas between the cabin and empennage and the left landing gear strut. The pilot and passenger were uninjured. The pilot's last flight review was not current and was reported as having been last completed on September 6, 2008.
Source record
Factual narrative
The pilot was attempting a takeoff on runway 18 (2,692 by 200 feet, turf) when the powered glider's acceleration "seemed" slower than normal. The pilot attributed the slower acceleration to the soft turf of the runway. The pilot stated that the glider was unable to attain takeoff speed, and the decision to abort the takeoff was made too late. The glider then overran the runway and ground looped when it hit a ditch. The glider sustained substantial damage, which included structural damage to the fuselage in the areas between the cabin and empennage and the left landing gear strut. The pilot and passenger were uninjured. The pilot's last flight review was not current and was reported as having been last completed on September 6, 2008.