Incident Details
A pilot serving as an aircraft mechanic for the airplane's operator was en route to another airport to repair a company aircraft. The pilot reported not having completed a thorough preflight inspection of the airplane before attempting departure.
Sequence of Events
During the preflight, the control wheel lock—a nail—remained installed. The pilot attempted to take off with the lock in place, then tried unsuccessfully to remove it. He subsequently attempted to abort the takeoff but could not stop the airplane before it ran off the end of the runway and nosed over.
The pilot's incomplete preflight inspection led to the attempted takeoff with the control wheel lock still engaged. The subsequent failure to abort in time allowed the airplane to depart the runway surface, resulting in the nose-over event.