Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control on takeoff.
Aircraft Information
Analysis
The private pilot said that during the takeoff roll in his tail wheel-equipped airplane, he lifted the tail off the ground when the airplane was about 50 feet down the runway. The airplane then made a sudden turn to the left and veered off the runway. The left wing struck the ground and the airplane flipped over,which resulted in substantial damage to both wings, the vertical stabilizer and an engine mount. The pilot reported the wind was blowing about 5 knots directly down the runway and there were no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane or the engine.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CEN14CA250