Accident Overview
A private pilot and four passengers were attempting a takeoff on Runway 13, a 3,900-foot by 30-foot asphalt runway. According to the pilot, the aircraft accelerated to 100 knots but he could not raise the nose for lift-off. He reported aborting the takeoff and intentionally ground looping to the right.
Witness Accounts
A witness reported that the aircraft left the runway at high speed, and the engines sounded as if they were at full power.
Post-Accident Investigation
An FAA investigator conducted a post-accident examination and found no evidence of pre-accident failure or malfunction. Ground impressions showed no indication of braking. The nose gear collapsed 400 feet beyond the runway, and a short distance farther, the main gear collapsed. The aircraft came to rest in a ditch, 900 feet after leaving the runway and slightly to the right of the extended runway centerline.
Pilot Interview
In a post-accident interview, when asked about the possibility of the controls being locked, the pilot stated that the control lock had been missing for "several weeks."