Primary finding
Probable cause
An encounter with wind gusts, which resulted in a loss of control and a collapse of the nose landing gear.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that he delayed his departure due to wind gusts. During the takeoff roll he encountered a wind gust and the airplane departed the runway surface momentarily. The airplane then rapidly entered a nose down attitude and subsequently landed hard. The nose landing gear collapsed, and the airplane sustained substantial damage to the forward fuselage keel beam. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies could have precluded normal operation.