Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's delayed decision to abort the takeoff roll, which resulted in a runway overrun and airplane nose over.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll on the soft turf surface private airstrip, the airplane did not accelerate fast enough. About midfield, he aborted the takeoff roll by closing the throttle and he applied the brakes. However, the airplane overran the departure end of the airstrip and the main landing gear collided with a spruce tree stump. The airplane nosed over substantially damaging the rudder and vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.