What happened
During the takeoff roll, an airline transport certificated pilot was operating a tailwheel-equipped airplane in conditions involving a direct left crosswind of 14 knots, with gusts reaching 21 knots. The pilot had previously noted that the left crosswind was near the operational limits for the aircraft type.
Approximately 350 feet into the takeoff roll, the tailwheel lifted off the runway surface. Following this, the aircraft began to veer toward the left. In an attempt to maintain directional control, the pilot reduced engine power to idle and applied both flight controls and brakes to correct the leftward drift. Despite these efforts, the airplane entered a ground loop to the left. During the maneuver, the right wing struck the runway, and the aircraft subsequently nosed over.
The investigation
The aircraft sustained damage to the propeller, the right wing, the vertical stabilizer, and the rudder. There were no injuries reported following the incident.