Event ANC15CA022

Factual narrative

The pilot was on a personal cross-country flight in a tailwheel-equipped, single engine airplane. The pilot stated that although there was a strong crosswind on landing, he did not expect it to affect the airplane on takeoff. During the takeoff ground roll, when the pilot could no longer maintain directional control, he took off, climbing about 10 feet before losing altitude and impacting a ditch that is parallel to the runway. During the impact, the airplane sustained substantial damage and the pilot and sole occupant, sustained serious injuries. The pilot stated there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot was on a personal cross-country flight in a tailwheel-equipped, single engine airplane. The pilot stated that although there was a strong crosswind on landing, he did not expect it to affect the airplane on takeoff. During the takeoff ground roll, when the pilot could no longer maintain directional control, he took off, climbing about 10 feet before losing altitude and impacting a ditch that is parallel to the runway. During the impact, the airplane sustained substantial damage and the pilot and sole occupant, sustained serious injuries. The pilot stated there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

Hierarchical cause / factor breakdown from the FAA bulk avdata database. Each finding tagged C (Cause) or F (Factor).

• C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
• — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Crosswind-Contributed to outcome