N61450

On June 20, 2002, about 0900 eastern daylight time, a homebuilt A-28 Victor, N61450, was substantially damaged during takeoff from Westmoreland Airport, Shelter Island, New York. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

The twin engine tail-wheeled airplane was taking off to the south, on a 1,400-foot long, 200-foot wide, turf runway.

In a written statement, the pilot said that as the airplane lifted off the runway, it angled to left. He attempted to correct; however, the airplane banked to the right and made a sharp right turn. The pilot aborted the takeoff; however, the airplane settled to the ground off the right side of the runway, and struck trees. The pilot added that the winds were calm at the time of the accident.

Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions.

The pilot reported 295 hours of total flight experience, which included about 27 hours in multi-engine airplanes, all in make and model. The pilot was not multi-engine rated.