Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot said the airplane began to veer to the right during the takeoff roll, and full left rudder input had no effect. The airplane departed the runway, crossed an irrigation ditch, the left main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane nosed over. According to a federal aviation administration inspector who witnessed the accident, the winds were light and variable.
Source record
Factual narrative
On April 23, 1994, approximately 1135 mountain daylight time, a Kitfox, N446GS, was substantially damaged when it departed the runway during takeoff roll and nosed over at Longmont, Colorado. The private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The accident was witnessed by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector. The pilot told the inspector he raised the aircraft's tail to lift off and lost directional control. The inspector said the winds were light and variable. The following is based on the pilot/operator report. During the takeoff roll, the airplane began to veer to the right and full left rudder input did not have any effect. The airplane departed the runway, crossed an irrigation ditch, the left main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane nosed over. -