Accident Summary
The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll, he experienced a power surge, although the engine did not quit. He aborted the takeoff by reducing power on both engines and applying the brakes. The aircraft then swerved off the right side of the runway, rolled through the grass, and struck a culvert. The impact caused the landing gear to separate from the aircraft.
Examination Findings
Post-accident examination of the wreckage revealed that both throttle levers were at idle. The mixture and propeller controls were set to full forward, full rich, and high revolutions per minute (rpm) on their respective engine controls. All cables and attaching hardware were found intact.
Probable Cause
The official probable cause was determined to be a loss of control during the takeoff roll, specifically: the pilot did not maintain directional control, resulting in an inadvertent ground loop or swerve. Subsequently, the aircraft encountered rough/uneven terrain, and the main landing gear collapsed.