No fatalities

13 Aug 2008: Aerotek Pitts Special S-1S — Kent M. Taylor — Crawford, CO

Crawford, CO, United States

On 13 Aug 2008, an Aerotek Pitts Special S-1S operated by Kent M. Taylor was involved in an aviation accident near Crawford, CO. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff. Contributing to the accident were wind gusts and rough terrain. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 10 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

During takeoff, a tailwheel airplane encountered a strong left crosswind. Despite right rudder input, it departed the runway, contacted rough terrain, and flipped inverted. Winds reported calm with intermittent gusts.

Event Description

During the takeoff roll, after the tailwheel lifted off the runway, the airplane encountered a strong left crosswind. The pilot attempted to correct with right rudder, but the airplane departed the runway surface. Subsequently, the airplane contacted rough or uneven terrain, flipped over, and came to rest inverted.

Pilot Actions

The pilot applied right rudder in an attempt to counteract the crosswind, but the airplane still left the runway. The pilot and witnesses reported that the winds at the time of the accident were calm with intermittent gusts.

Post-Accident Examination

Examination of the airplane showed that the vertical stabilizer and rudder were bent.

Contributing factors

Causes

Directional control — Not attained/maintained

Other contributing factors

Contributed to outcome