Aeronca 11AC N9418E accident near Geneseo, New York

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll resulting in a runway excursion, and subsequent nose over.

NTSB analysis

The pilot had previously performed three uneventful landings and elected to depart for a final landing. The pilot initiated the takeoff roll from but started to lose directional control, drifting from one side of the runway to the other. When the left main tire was in tall vegetation adjacent to the runway he decided to continue the takeoff but the airplane veered more to the left and entered taller vegetation. While slowing the airplane nosed over, and both of the right wing’s lift struts were substantially damaged. The pilot reported, and a postaccident examination of the airplane confirmed, that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA24LA238 for the full record.