Airplane’s Nose Gear Settled Back Onto The Runway, It Then Sank Into The Soft Turf, And The Airplane Nosed Over

Location: East Amherst, New York Accident Number: ERA24LA175
Date & Time: April 10, 2024, 14:15 Local Registration: N107RW
Aircraft: Haring Robert C Zenith CH601XLB Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control on ground Injuries: 1 Minor
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

Analysis: The airplane was departing from a wet, turf runway. The pilot reported that during the departure roll the airplane began to veer to the right and was not travelling fast enough when he attempted to takeoff. The airplane’s nose gear settled back onto the runway, it then sank into the soft turf, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane came to rest inverted and sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer and rudder. The pilot further reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot also stated that he should have aborted the takeoff, but “thought he could power through the drifting and get the aircraft off the ground.”

Probable Cause and Findings: The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be -- The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control and his decision to continue the takeoff from the soft turf runway.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov