Pilot aborts takeoff after airplane fails to accelerate on fourth attempt (N5518D)

What happened

The incident occurred during a series of touch-and-go operations where the pilot executed three full stop landings without issue. On the fourth takeoff attempt, the pilot reported that the airplane failed to accelerate to the required liftoff airspeed. After rolling approximately 2000 feet down the runway, the pilot made the decision to abort the takeoff. The aircraft continued its momentum past the departure end of Runway 07 and subsequently nosed over.

The investigation

A thorough examination of the wreckage was conducted to determine the mechanical status of the aircraft at the time of the incident. The inspection did not disclose any system problems or mechanical failures that would explain the lack of acceleration. This finding shifted the focus toward environmental factors and operational conditions during the takeoff roll.

Findings

Meteorological data indicated that the temperature and dew point were within a range where carburetor ice was possible. The failure to accelerate, combined with the absence of mechanical defects, suggests that ice accumulation in the carburetor likely restricted engine power output during the critical takeoff phase. The pilot's decision to abort the takeoff after rolling 2000 feet was a prudent response to the unexpected loss of performance.