Event GAA19CA005

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that, during takeoff, in a crosswind, as the tailwheel lifted off the ground, the airplane veered left. He applied right rudder and hard right brake, but the airplane continued to weathervane. He then applied full brakes and reduced power to idle, the airplane departed the runway to the left, and skidded sideways on gravel before coming to an abrupt stop. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and horizontal stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system at the accident airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 220° at 8 knots, gusting to 18 knots. The pilot was departing on runway 31. The pilot reported that, during takeoff in a crosswind, as the tailwheel lifted off the ground, the airplane veered left. He applied right rudder and hard right brake, but the airplane continued to weathervane. He then applied full brakes and reduced power to idle, and the airplane then departed the runway to the left and skidded sideways on gravel before coming to an abrupt stop. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and horizontal stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system at the airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 220° at 8 knots, gusting to 18 knots. The pilot was departing from runway 31. 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 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 operation
• — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Gusts-Effect on operation