GAA18CA521

Factual narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he was conducting a public aerial observation flight, during takeoff from an off-airport gravel airstrip, the airplane became airborne quickly. He added that, the airplane settled back on the airstrip in a tail low attitude, but he continued the takeoff. He "did not feel or hear any objects strike or damage the aircraft", and, due to adverse weather conditions, the flight continued to the alternate airport without further incident. Postflight examination revealed leading edge damage and a hole in the left horizontal stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he was conducting a public aerial observation flight. During takeoff from an off-airport gravel airstrip, the airplane became airborne quickly. He added that the airplane settled back on the airstrip in a tail-low attitude, but he continued the takeoff. He "did not feel or hear any objects strike or damage the aircraft," and due to adverse weather conditions, he continued the flight to an alternate airport without further incident instead of continuing the observation flight. Postaccident examination revealed leading edge damage and a hole in the left horizontal stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

• C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Use of equip/system-Pilot - C
• C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-(general)-Not attained/maintained - C
• — Environmental issues-Physical environment-Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface-(general)-Effect on operation