NTSB Factual Report

The airplane swerved during takeoff roll on a snow-covered runway and subsequently nosed over after dragging its left wingtip. The pilot reported that the turf runway was covered with approximately two inches of "crusted snow." The pilot stated that during the takeoff roll he attempted to follow the tire tracks left in the snow by a previous airplane. The pilot reported that about 75 yards into the takeoff run he decided that the "aircraft was not going to fly." The pilot stated he "was about to close throttle and shut down, when the airplane veered to the left." The airplane subsequently dragged the left wing tip and nosed over. The pilot stated that the accident could have been prevented if prior to takeoff he had "inspected the runway surface for degree of snow crusting." The pilot also stated that the runway was "prone to drifting snow in various areas at times."

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's decision to depart from the snow-covered runway, which resulted in the swerve during takeoff roll and subsequent nose over.