N29396

On June 21, 1993, at 1522 hours Pacfic daylight time, a Culver LCA, N29396, collided with the ground following a loss of control just after lift off from runway 29 at the San Luis Obispo, California, airport. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the operation. The aircraft incurred substantial damage. The certificated airline transport pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight was originating as a local traffic pattern practice flight at the time of the mishap.

The pilot was interviewed by an inspector from the San Jose, California, Flight Standards District Office. In both his verbal and written statements, the pilot said he was picking up the aircraft which his father-in-law had just purchased, and was going to fly it to Washington state. The pilot noted that he intended to stay in the traffic pattern to do several takeoffs and landings prior to proceeding on the delivery flight. The responding FAA inspector reported that the pilot's last tail wheel aircraft experience was in 1985, and, at that time, his total tail wheel experience was 250 hours.

Ground witnesses to the accident reported that the aircraft became airborne after a ground roll of about 600 feet and immediately yawed and rolled to the left. The aircraft collided with the ground adjacent to the runway. The pilot reported that during the takeoff ground roll on runway 29 he looked down at the airspeed indicator, and, when he looked up again, the aircraft had lifted off and was rolling to the left. The pilot stated that he could not correct the roll in time to prevent a nose down collision with the ground.

The winds at the time were reported by the control tower at 300 degrees at 18 knots. The aircraft was examined by the responding FAA inspector. He reported that control system continuity was established throughout the aircraft, to include the tail wheel steering mechanism. The pilot did not claim any mechanical malfunction at the time of his interview with the FAA inspector.