ANC12CA045

Factual narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he was departing a dry paved runway, which required a correction for a slight left quartering tailwind. As the airplane accelerated, it veered to the left, with full right rudder applied. The airplane turned right, and the left main gear collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. In the pilot’s written statement to the National Transportation Safety Board he noted that the accident might have been avoided if he had used a different runway. The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he departed from runway 29, a dry, paved runway, with a slight left quartering tailwind. As the airplane accelerated, it veered to the left with full right rudder applied. The airplane turned right, and the left main gear collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot said that the accident might have been avoided if he had used a different runway. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

• C Personnel issues-Action/decision-Info processing/decision-Decision making/judgment-Pilot - C
• — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Tailwind-Contributed to outcome
• C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C