Accident Overview
An accident occurred during the initial takeoff roll of a vintage airplane on a grass airstrip. The pilot, an airline transport rated pilot with approximately 20,000 hours of total flight time, reported that about 250 feet into the takeoff roll, while accelerating through 40 to 45 mph, the airplane began to pull to the right. Despite applying full left rudder input, the pilot was unable to maintain directional control.
Airstrip and Terrain
The airstrip was 2,600 feet long and 80 feet wide, consisting of a grass surface. Along the right side of the airstrip, there was a ditch approximately 4 to 5 feet deep. The pilot reported attempting to become airborne prematurely to avoid the ditch. The airplane successfully cleared the ditch, but shortly thereafter, the right wing became entangled in tall grass, causing the airplane to impact the ground.
Post-Accident Examination
After the accident, the airplane came to rest in an upright position. Both the pilot and the passenger exited the airplane unassisted. An examination of the airplane revealed that the fuselage sustained structural damage. A detailed examination of the tailwheel assembly confirmed that the steering arm was completely fractured.
Pilot Experience
The pilot had accumulated approximately 30 hours of flight experience in the same make and model of the accident airplane. At the time of the accident, the wind was reported as calm.