What happened
The aircraft experienced a nose-over incident while accelerating down the runway for departure. The pilot, operating a tailwheel-equipped airplane, applied forward elevator pressure during the ground roll to maintain directional control and keep the nose wheel on the pavement. According to the pilot's account, the tail of the aircraft lifted higher than anticipated. Despite attempting to apply back pressure on the control yoke to correct the pitch attitude, the pilot was unable to overcome the nose-up moment. Consequently, the pilot reduced engine power in an effort to abort the takeoff, but the aircraft continued forward and collapsed onto its nose.
The investigation
During the post-accident review, the investigator sought to verify the pilot's report of adverse weather conditions. The pilot had cited gusty winds and wind shear as contributing factors to the loss of control. However, meteorological data for a four-hour window surrounding the event (two hours before and two hours after) showed no recorded gusts. Furthermore, there was no physical evidence on the runway or in the vicinity to suggest wind shear occurred. At the time of the accident, the aircraft was utilizing Runway 01, and the recorded surface wind was from 290 degrees at 9 knots.
Findings
The investigation determined that the primary factor was the pilot's inability to manage the pitch attitude during the critical takeoff phase. The excessive nose-up rotation prevented the main wheels from touching down or maintaining contact with the ground, leading to the collapse of the nose gear. While the pilot attributed the event to environmental factors, official records did not support the presence of significant wind variability or shear.
Safety message
Pilots operating tailwheel aircraft must be vigilant regarding pitch control during takeoff. Proper technique is essential to prevent excessive nose-up attitudes that can lead to loss of ground contact and subsequent damage.