N7157Q

On May 9, 2005, about 1845 eastern daylight time, an amateur built Sopwith Camel, N7157Q, was substantially damaged during takeoff from the Old Rhinebeck Airport (NY94), Rhinebeck, New York. The certificated airline transport pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local personal flight. No flight plan had been filed, and the flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

According to the pilot, he went to the airport for the purpose of conducting an initial checkout in the single seat replica of a Sopwith Camel. Assisted by a "highly experienced" flight instructor in the same make and model, the pilot completed the preflight, rehearsed various cockpit operations, and then boarded to practiced taxiing. Afterwards, the pilot conducted a debriefing with the instructor, and then executed his first flight, which lasted approximately 25 minutes. After completing the flight, the pilot conducted another debriefing, and then attempted a second flight. During the takeoff roll, the airplane accelerated "normally" down the turf runway with the tailwheel in the up position for 4 to 6 seconds, and then nosed over, causing substantial damage to the top wing, and vertical stabilizer. At the time of the accident the pilot had approximately 1 hour in make and model.

Examination of the runway revealed the initial propeller ground scars were collocated with a set of ruts running perpendicular to the takeoff roll. The pilot added that a new hangar had been erected on the airport, and that "heavy" construction vehicles had been crossing the runway.