Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot’s decision to take off from a short, grass runway in gusting wind conditions, resulting in a rejected takeoff and runway excursion.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that he was taking off to the east from his personal, grass airstrip, which was 2,400 ft-long and 75 ft-wide. Surface wind at a nearby airport was from 120° at 8 knots with gusts to 12 knots. Just before rotation on the takeoff roll, he felt a large wind gust and decided to abort the takeoff. He was unable to stop the airplane in the remaining runway, it collided with a fence, the landing gear collapsed, and the airplane came to rest upright. The airplane’s wings and fuselage were substantially damaged during the accident. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.