Incident Overview
A certificated commercial pilot and a passenger were departing a remote beach area in a tail wheel-equipped airplane. The flight, conducted under U.S. government auspices, was intended to pick up the passenger, who had been engaged in fishery surveillance.
Takeoff and Loss of Control
The pilot initiated the takeoff roll toward the west, paralleling the shoreline. At the time, a crosswind from the southwest was blowing from the beach toward the water. During the takeoff, the airplane veered to the right. The pilot subsequently lost directional control of the airplane.
Terrain Encounter and Ground Loop
As the airplane veered, it dropped off the edge of a 5-foot-high sand dune and struck an area of hard, wet sand. Following the impact, the airplane ground-looped to the right. The event resulted in substantial damage to the aircraft.
Details of the Flight
No further information regarding the aircraft type, registration, date, location, or injuries was provided in the source material. The investigation did not specify a probable cause for the loss of directional control.