Incident Details
During the takeoff roll, the pilot observed that the airspeed indicator was not operating. He promptly aborted the takeoff, but was unable to bring the airplane to a stop on the remaining runway. The airplane subsequently collided with a ditch.
Post-Accident Findings
After the accident, the pilot stated, "After the accident I realize[d] the streamer was ripped off by the wind. I must not have looked in the hole [during preflight]." He discovered that the pitot tube was blocked with part of the pitot cover.
The incident highlights the importance of preflight inspections to ensure that pitot tube covers and other protective devices are removed before flight. No other factors were reported.
The pilot's account indicates that the pitot tube cover streamer may have been torn off by wind, leading to an inadequate visual check during the preflight inspection. The blockage of the pitot tube likely caused the airspeed indicator to malfunction.
No further information about the aircraft type, registration, location, or injuries was provided in the source.