What happened
The incident occurred at a private airstrip where the pilot was preparing for departure. After completing a back-taxi maneuver along the runway, the pilot initiated a 180-degree turn to align the aircraft with the takeoff path. During this turning phase, the right main landing gear made contact with a ditch located in a tall grass area situated just off the end of the runway.
In an effort to prevent the aircraft from becoming immobilized in the depression, the pilot applied engine power. However, as thrust increased, the tail of the aircraft swung around and struck the backside of the ditch. This impact resulted in substantial damage to the empennage structure.
The investigation
Examination of the wreckage confirmed that the primary damage was localized to the tail section. The structural failure was consistent with a ground contact event during the takeoff roll phase, specifically caused by the tail striking the terrain feature while the pilot attempted to maintain forward momentum.