Accident Summary
A tailwheel airplane was substantially damaged following a loss of control during takeoff. The pilot had completed three touch-and-go landings "in a normal manner" before the accident occurred during the fourth landing on runway 36. After the tail wheel touched down, full engine power was applied for takeoff. The airplane "suddenly swerved to the right and went into the grass east of the runway."
Subsequent Maneuvers
The pilot then elected to take off from the grass area and a taxiway on a northeasterly heading. During the attempted takeoff, the aircraft entered a harvested wheat field adjacent to the airport. The aircraft became airborne in a right wing low attitude, causing the aircraft to turn toward the south. The pilot reported that engine power "seemed to fade" and he subsequently landed on a southerly heading in a five-foot deep ditch adjacent to the wheat field. The right wing impacted the ground, twisting the fuselage and collapsing the landing gear.
Pilot Observations
The pilot stated that he may have applied the right heel brake during the landing roll, resulting in a loss of directional control. He also noted that the wheat field stubble was "high and made the attempted take off very difficult." Additionally, he suggested that carburetor icing may have been responsible for the "apparent lack of full power response."
Weather Conditions
At the time of the accident, the CUL Automated Weather Observing System recorded at 1645 a temperature of 25 degrees Celsius and a dew point of 7 degrees Celsius. Carburetor icing data obtained from Transport Canada indicates a possibility of carburetor icing at descent power under those conditions.