Incident Overview
A pilot was departing a remote tundra strip after dropping off two sheep hunters for a cross-country positioning flight. The airstrip orientation was approximately 10 to 20 degrees to the left of the prevailing wind, which the pilot reported as 30 mph. The pilot selected 20 degrees of flaps and began the takeoff roll.
Sequence of Events
Following lift-off, the airplane began to roll to the left. The pilot applied maximum right aileron and right rudder, but the airplane continued to diverge to the left. The pilot then aborted the takeoff. During the abort, the left wing struck the ground, and the airplane pivoted 180 degrees to the left.
Aircraft Configuration
The airplane was equipped with a Robertson STOL (Short Takeoff and Landing) modification. The pilot noted that the 20-degree flap setting allowed for the most minimal aileron travel and suggested that a 10-degree flap setting may have provided more roll authority.
Investigation Notes
No contributing factors or causal links were identified in the pilot's report. The information provided is based solely on the pilot's account of the event.