ERA20CA091

Factual narrative

According to the pilot, the purpose of the flight was to practice takeoffs and landings. After two uneventful circuits in the traffic pattern, he aligned the airplane up on runway 8 for another takeoff. As he applied engine power, he used the right rudder to center the airplane on the runway. About 50 ft into the takeoff roll, the airplane veered to the left. The pilot applied right brake and right rudder, however the airplane became "momentarily airborne." He reduced engine power and as the airplane settled back onto the runway, it veered to the right. The pilot attempted to stop the airplane by applying the brakes, however, it continued off the right side of the runway, traveled through mud, and subsequently the left main landing gear collapsed. The left wing, left elevator, and left horizontal stabilizer were substantially damaged in the accident sequence.An examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the airplane came to rest on the left side of the fuselage. The tailwheel attachment tube was separated from the empennage, but the tailwheel control cables remained attached. After two uneventful circuits in the traffic pattern, the pilot aligned the airplane to the runway for another a touch-and-go landing. As he applied engine power, he used the right rudder to center the airplane on the runway. About 50 ft into the takeoff roll, the airplane veered left. The pilot applied right brake and right rudder to correct; however, the airplane became "momentarily airborne." He reduced the engine power, and as the airplane settled back onto the runway, it veered right. The pilot attempted to stop the airplane by applying the brakes; however, it continued off the right side of the runway and traveled through mud, and subsequently, the left main landing gear collapsed. The left wing, left elevator, and left horizontal stabilizer sustained substantial damage. An examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the airplane came to rest on the left side of the fuselage. The tailwheel attachment tube was separated from the empennage, but the tailwheel control cables remained attached. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

• C Aircraft-Aircraft systems-Landing gear system-Nose/tail landing gear-Failure - C
• C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Attain/maintain not possible - C