GAA17CA011

Factual narrative

The pilot of a tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during the takeoff roll in left crosswind conditions, the airplane drifted to the left and he applied full right rudder. He further reported that as he lifted his heels to use right brake to correct for the left drift, the airplane veered off the runway to the left. The pilot reduced power, the airplane impacted a runway sign, and both main landing gear collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and the fuselage. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located on the airport, revealed that, about 7 minutes before the accident the wind was 290 degrees true at 8 knots. The airplane departed on runway 34. The pilot of a tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during the takeoff roll in left crosswind conditions, the airplane drifted to the left and he applied full right rudder. He further reported that as he lifted his heels to use right brake to correct for the left drift, the airplane veered off the runway to the left. The pilot reduced power, the airplane impacted a runway sign, and both main landing gear collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and the fuselage. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located on the airport, revealed that, about 7 minutes before the accident the wind was 290 degrees true at 8 knots. The airplane departed on runway 34. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

• C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained - C
• C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
• — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Crosswind-Effect on equipment
• — Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Sign/marker-Contributed to outcome