Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot’s delayed decision to abort the takeoff, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with a ditch.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that he was taking off from a short field when he realized the airplane was not achieving enough speed for takeoff. About two-thirds down the runway he aborted the takeoff. The airplane continued off the end of the runway, struck a ditch, and nosed over coming to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the forward fuselage and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.