Amateur-built ZENITH STOL CH 701 N127VV accident near San Saba, Texas

Probable cause

The pilot’s improper landing flare during the aborted takeoff, which resulted in a hard landing and a nose-over.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that, during takeoff, he applied right rudder to counteract the left turning tendencies of the airplane, but the airplane continued left of the runway centerline. He was unable to correct back to the runway centerline when the airplane was about 5 to 10 ft above the ground, so he decided to abort the takeoff and land on the grass left of the runway. During the landing, the airplane landed hard, the nose landing gear "dug" into the grass, and the airplane nosed over.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and empennage.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA18CA393 for the full record.