Event Description
During a takeoff attempt, just before liftoff, the airplane began to veer to the left. The pilot applied right rudder input, but it had no effect on the airplane's direction. Observing that the airplane was about to depart the runway, the pilot closed the throttle and applied both brakes. Despite these actions, the airplane continued off the runway, crossing the median between the runway and the taxiway, then traversing the taxiway before coming to rest in a ditch.
Pilot Actions
The pilot reported that he applied right rudder when the veer began, but it produced no corrective effect. After closing the throttle and applying both brakes, the airplane could not be stopped before leaving the paved surface. The pilot did not report any mechanical difficulties with the airplane before or during the event.
Weather Conditions
Weather at an airport located 60 miles to the north included winds from a direction 30 degrees to the left of the pilot's takeoff runway, at a speed of 11 knots. No other weather information was provided in the report.