Event WPR20CA053

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that, during the takeoff roll in the tailwheel equipped airplane, it began to veer to the left. He applied corrective control inputs, and the flight instructor called for him to abort the takeoff, but the airplane ground looped as it departed the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and aileron. Both pilots were flight instructors, and the pilot at the controls was receiving instruction for his tailwheel endorsement. The flight instructor providing instruction stated that the event happened too fast for him to correct the diversion. Neither pilot reported a preaccident mechanical failure or malfunction with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot, who was receiving instruction for his tailwheel endorsement, reported that, during the takeoff roll, the airplane began to veer left. He applied corrective control inputs, and the flight instructor called for him to abort the takeoff, but the airplane ground looped and departed the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and aileron. The instructor reported that the event happened too fast for him to correct the diversion and 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

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-Psychological-Attention/monitoring-Monitoring other person-Instructor/check pilot - C
• C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Student/instructed pilot - C