What happened
A pilot, who also served as an A&P mechanic and inspection authority, was in the process of completing an overhaul and restoration of a Stinson. According to a privately rated passenger, the pilot decided to take the aircraft around the pattern for a test flight; however, the pilot stated in his written report that no flight was intended.
During the takeoff ground run, both the pilot and the passenger agreed that a strong gust struck the aircraft, causing the right wing to rise. This caused the aircraft to depart the runway to the left, at which point the left wing struck the terrain. The impact caused the aircraft to cartwheel, resulting in the breakage of the fuselage, both wing spars, and the stabilator. There were no injuries reported.
The investigation
A post-accident inspection revealed that the aircraft had been moved from the original accident scene to the rear of a hangar, where it had been stripped of all instrumentation and abandoned. While the pilot reported that a "dust devil" had struck the aircraft, witnesses and the airport manager reported a strong gust of wind instead. The accident was reported by witnesses and the airport manager the following day, but the pilot did not report the event to the NTSB or FAA until he was contacted by letter.