Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll, resulting in a runway excursion.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot started the takeoff roll with a slight crosswind from the left. He indicated that the start of the roll seemed normal, but then the airplane began to drift to the right side of the runway. He started a correction to the left and the airplane did an abrupt left turn. It subsequently made a sharp turn back to the right with the tail swinging left. The airplane departed the right side of the runway surface and the left main landing gear snapped off. As a result of the accident sequence the left wing sustained substantial damage.
Source record
Factual narrative
The pilot started the takeoff roll from runway 21L with a slight crosswind from the left. He indicated that the start of the roll seemed normal, but then the airplane started to drift to the right side of the runway. He started a correction to the left, and the airplane did an abrupt left turn. It then turned sharply back to the right with the tail swinging left. The airplane departed the right side of the runway surface, and the left main landing gear snapped off. The left wing and aileron sustained substantial damage.