Accident Details
A commercial certificated pilot was departing from a beach in a tailwheel-equipped airplane on a personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91. The pilot stated that the beach was an area he used for set-net fishing. He initiated the takeoff run between a creek and set-net ropes lying on the beach, covering a distance of about 550 feet.
Sequence of Events
The airplane lifted off and climbed to approximately 10 feet. At that point, the pilot reported feeling a tug on the tail of the airplane and realized that the tailwheel had snagged one of the ropes. Subsequently, the airplane pitched nose down, collided with the ground, and nosed over.
Damage Assessment
The accident resulted in structural damage to the wings and vertical stabilizer of the airplane.
Pilot Observations
After the accident, the pilot noted that when the tailwheel snagged the first rope, it pulled an adjacent rope upward, which then snagged the main landing gear.