GAA19CA393

Factual narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that, during the takeoff roll, the airplane abruptly veered right and he overcorrected to the left. The pilot then reduced the engine power to idle, and over corrected to the right. He attempted to correct and applied full brakes, but the airplane exited the runway to the left and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer, rudder, right and left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. An automated weather observation station located 2 miles to the south, reported that, about 25 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 340° at 3 knots. The airplane was taking off on runway 17. The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during the takeoff roll, the airplane abruptly veered right, and he overcorrected to the left. The pilot then reduced the engine power to idle and overcorrected to the right. He attempted to correct by applying full brakes, but the airplane exited the runway to the left and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer, rudder, and the right and left wings. 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 Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained - C
• C Aircraft-Aircraft systems-Landing gear system-Brake-Incorrect use/operation - C
• C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C