Accident Details
On the day of the accident, a commercial pilot was receiving instruction in a tailwheel-equipped airplane from a certified flight instructor (CFI). The takeoff roll from runway 16 began without incident. As the commercial pilot lifted the tailwheel off the runway, the airplane encountered a wind gust and veered to the left. The pilot reported having "little to no" control of the airplane. The CFI assumed control, but the airplane subsequently departed the left side of the runway and struck a fence. The main landing gear separated from the airplane, and the airframe was substantially damaged. Both pilots reported that they did not experience any mechanical malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation.
Pilot Information
The commercial pilot had accumulated a total of 1,530 hours of flight experience, which included 2 hours in the same make and model as the accident airplane. The CFI was providing instruction at the time of the accident.
Weather
The wind reported at an airport located about 5 miles southeast of the accident site, around the time of the accident, was from 120 degrees at 9 knots.