Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot’s loss of control during takeoff.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot of the experimental amateur-built airplane reported that during takeoff, the tailwheel-equipped airplane began to veer to the right. He pulled the throttle back and the airplane briefly went left, then the right wing lifted, and the airplane drifted right again. The airplane went off the left side of the runway and nosed over, which resulted in substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage. A postaccident examination revealed that the left main landing gear had twisted 90 degrees, and the normally outboard face of the wheel was facing aft. Whether the damage to the left main landing gear precipitated or was a result of the runway excursion was not determined.