Incident Description
At approximately 0300 hours, a security guard at the airport observed an airplane during takeoff. According to the guard, the aircraft bounced three times, emitted sparks during the last bounce, and then veered to the right. The wreckage was subsequently located beside the runway.
Post-Accident Events
Another security guard, stationed at the airport's east gate, reported that she stopped two men who were running across the airport. She identified them as the pilot/owner and the passenger. The guard detected an odor of alcohol on both individuals. The pilot informed the guard that he and his friend had been drinking on a nearby beach and were returning to their motor home parked near the airport. The guard noticed a radio transceiver in a bag they were carrying.
Damage Assessment
Examination of the wreckage revealed that the nose wheel assembly was buckled rearward. This damage would have allowed the propeller and nose of the airplane to strike the runway. The tips of the propeller blades were ground off.