On 18 Jul 2017, a SALERNO KENNETH G JR KITFOX SERIES 7 NO SERIES was involved in an aviation accident near Owyhee, OR. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff from a rough, dirt airstrip. This summary draws on records from NTSB.
During takeoff on a rough dirt airstrip, a tailwheel airplane bounced over a hump, touched down onto a rut, veered left, and struck sage brush with its main landing gear, resulting in a nose over. The fuselage and left wing sustained substantial damage.
Accident Sequence
According to the pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane, during the takeoff roll on a rough, dirt airstrip, the airplane encountered a "hump" and bounced into the air prematurely. When the airplane touched back down, one of the tires hit a "rut," causing the airplane to veer left toward a tall sage brush. The pilot stated that he "didn't correct direction properly" and attempted to rotate the airplane "early" to clear the sage brush, but the airplane's main landing gear impacted the sage brush, which resulted in a nose over.
Damage and Mechanical Status
The fuselage and left wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Contributing factors
Causes
PilotDirectional control — Not attained/maintained