Incident Overview
A pilot reported that prior to a takeoff attempt, the glare from the setting sun obscured his view. As a result, he aligned the airplane "too far south of the centerline" of the east-west runway. During the takeoff roll, the airplane struck a tree that bordered the southern edge of the runway. The pilot then applied the brakes, and the airplane nosed over.
Aircraft and Environmental Conditions
No mechanical anomalies were observed with the airplane. Winds recorded at an airport 17 miles to the east were from the south at 7 knots at the time of the incident.
Pilot Account
The pilot explicitly stated that the sun's glare hindered his visibility during alignment, leading him to position the aircraft south of the intended path. The subsequent tree strike occurred before the aircraft could become airborne.
Post-Incident Findings
Examination of the airplane revealed no preexisting mechanical issues. The investigation did not identify any other contributing factors beyond those described by the pilot.