Accident Sequence
The pilot began the takeoff roll and raised the tail at an indicated airspeed of 35 mph. The nose of the airplane then pulled to the right. In response, the pilot applied left rudder but overcorrected, causing the airplane to depart the left side of the runway. The airplane subsequently struck a 5,000-foot runway marker. The impact buckled the right main landing gear and caused the right wing to contact the ground, resulting in substantial damage to the wing.
Pilot Experience
The pilot reported a total flight time of 73 hours, including 40 hours in the Cessna 140. However, the pilot had accumulated only 3 hours of pilot-in-command time, all of which were in the same make and model as the accident airplane.
Post-Accident Examination
An FAA inspector examined the airplane after the accident and found no evidence of mechanical failure or malfunction. At the time of the accident, wind conditions were variable at 5 knots.