Incident Overview
During the takeoff roll on runway 5, the pilot began to drift left of the runway centerline. The pilot reported applying right rudder to correct, but the airplane then turned sharply to the right, describing it as an overcorrection. In response, the pilot pulled the throttle to idle. The airplane continued veering onto the grass on the right side of the runway edge and proceeded down an embankment.
Collision and Damage
As the airplane passed through a small culvert, the nose gear collapsed, and the airplane came to rest in a drainage ditch. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the airplane and found substantial damage. The inspection revealed no evidence of any mechanical abnormalities.
Weather Conditions
Winds around the time of the accident were reported from 320 degrees at 9 knots, gusting to 18 knots.