Primary finding
Probable cause
The separation of the right main wheel from the landing gear during takeoff for an undetermined reason.. Contributing to the accident were rough/uneven terrain and that directional control was not possible.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that during the takeoff, the tailwheel airplane swerved to the right and the right main wheel separated from the landing gear. The airplane then spun about 270 degrees before coming to a stop. The airplane was equipped with large-diameter, low-pressure tires commonly used for operations from unimproved fields. Examination confirmed that the field was rough. However, no evidence could be found that the landing gear encountered an obstruction in the field. Several tubes that were part of the fuselage structure were bent.
Source record
Factual narrative
The airplane was substantially damaged during an attempted takeoff from a rough farm field. Several tubes that were part of the fuselage structure were bent. The pilot reported that during the takeoff, the tailwheel airplane swerved to the right and the right main wheel separated from the landing gear. The airplane then spun about 270 degrees before coming to a stop. The airplane was equipped with large-diameter, low-pressure tires commonly used for operations from unimproved fields. Examination confirmed that the field was rough. However, no evidence could be found that the landing gear encountered an obstruction in the field.