Accident Overview
During an instructional flight, a certificated flight instructor (CFI) and a student pilot departed on runway 26 in a tail wheel equipped airplane. The CFI, occupying the right seat, reported that the student pilot was manipulating the flight controls during the takeoff roll. The airplane initially drifted left of the runway centerline, and the student corrected the deviation. Subsequently, the airplane began to track right of the centerline, prompting the CFI to take control of the aircraft.
Loss of Control and Runway Excursion
According to the CFI, he applied left rudder and brake inputs, but the airplane continued to track to the right. The airplane eventually exited the right shoulder of the runway. After leaving the runway surface, the airplane collided with a large rock, causing the left main landing gear strut to collapse. The accident resulted in substantial damage to the left wing.
Post-Accident Examination
The CFI reported that the brakes functioned properly during the preflight inspection. However, during the accident sequence, the brakes appeared to have not been working. A representative from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) examined the airplane and noted that the brakes were damaged, which prevented functional testing. The CFI also reported that the wind was from the west at 4 knots at the time of the accident.