Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot’s loss of airplane control during a takeoff in variable crosswind conditions.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot completed one takeoff and landing to a full stop on the 2,100-foot-long turf runway to observe the wind and "refresh" himself with the operation of the airplane. Two passengers then boarded the airplane for a local flight. The pilot taxied the airplane back to the runway and prepared to take off using a short-field takeoff technique. The airplane lifted off the runway after a takeoff roll of about 900 feet, and the pilot “crabbed” the airplane slightly right into the crosswind to track along the runway. About 30 feet above the runway, he leveled the airplane to “pick up speed” and tried to track the runway centerline. However, the airplane's nose landing gear impacted the ground and the airplane came to rest inverted, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage, both wings, and the empennage. Witnesses reported to the pilot that the airplane's tail lifted when the wind changed to a quartering tailwind during the takeoff, just before the nose landing gear impacted the ground.
Source record
Factual narrative
The pilot completed one full-stop takeoff and landing on the 2,100-foot-long turf runway in order to observe the winds and "refresh" himself with the operation of the airplane. Two passengers then boarded the airplane for a local flight. The pilot taxied the airplane back to the runway and prepared for a short field takeoff technique. The airplane lifted off the runway in about 900 feet, and the pilot crabbed the airplane slightly right towards the crosswind. About 30 feet above the runway, he leveled the airplane and attempted to correct the airplane's lateral position towards the centerline. About that time, the airplane's nose landing gear impacted the ground and the airplane came to rest inverted, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage, both wings, and the empennage. Witnesses reported to the pilot that the airplane's tail lifted as the wind changed to a quartering tailwind during the takeoff, just before the nose landing gear impacted the ground.