Incident Details
An experimental amateur-built airplane equipped with a tailwheel configuration experienced a loss of directional control during its takeoff roll on runway 3. The pilot reported a slight crosswind and suggested that wind shear may have been a factor in the inability to maintain control. The airplane subsequently departed the left side of the runway and struck the visual approach slope indicator (VASI) lights. The impact resulted in substantial damage to the aft fuselage bulkhead and the vertical stabilizer.
Weather Conditions
According to the METAR (Meteorological Aerodrome Report) issued around the time of the accident, the wind was variable at 3 knots, visibility was greater than 10 statute miles, and there were few clouds at 3,800 feet. The temperature was 72°F and the dew point was 57°F. No wind shear was reported in the METAR.
Pilot Report
The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot further expressed the opinion that wind shear might have contributed to the loss of directional control, but no wind shear was indicated in the available weather data.