What happened
The incident occurred during the initial phase of flight while the aircraft was attempting to depart from the airport. The pilot determined that the airplane had not reached the necessary liftoff speed for a safe departure. Consequently, the decision was made to abort the takeoff sequence.
Despite the attempt to stop, the aircraft continued past the end of the paved surface. The pilot later acknowledged that his reaction time was delayed, stating he was late in initiating the abort procedure. As a result, the airplane ran off the departure end of the runway.
Upon exiting the runway, the aircraft entered a plowed field adjacent to the airfield. A passenger on board observed the sequence of events, noting that the nose of the aircraft struck the ground first. This impact caused the airplane to flip over, resulting in significant structural damage. The pilot confirmed to an FAA inspector that there were no mechanical difficulties with the aircraft prior to or during the event.
The investigation
Post-incident examination focused on the operational aspects of the takeoff and the condition of the airframe. The pilot reported no mechanical issues with the airplane, a fact corroborated by his statement to the FAA inspector. The passenger's account provided additional context regarding the final position and orientation of the aircraft after it left the runway surface.
Findings
The primary factor in this incident was the failure to achieve adequate airspeed before attempting rotation or continuing the takeoff. The pilot's admission of being late in aborting the maneuver contributed to the overrun. The terrain at the end of the runway, specifically a plowed field, allowed the aircraft to continue its momentum until it struck the ground and overturned.