Incident Details
On November 2, 2017, at approximately 1400 eastern daylight time, a Great Lakes Aircraft Company 2T-1A-2 (registration N3512L) veered left during takeoff from Turners Falls Airport (0B5) in Montague, Massachusetts. The privately owned aircraft was operated under 14 CFR Part 91 as a personal flight. The private pilot was not injured, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed; no flight plan was filed. The intended destination was Orange Municipal Airport (ORE) in Orange, Massachusetts.
Pilot Account
The pilot reported flying to 0B5 the previous day to assist a mechanic with an annual inspection, which included removing panels, bleeding the brakes, and replacing the left brake pads. He returned home that evening and arrived at the airport the following afternoon. A preflight inspection included a visual check of the brakes and rudder cables. After starting the engine, he taxied to the approach end of runway 16, noting no brake discrepancies during taxi or run-up. With no wind, he began the takeoff roll; the first 200 feet were normal. As the empennage lifted off the runway, the airplane suddenly veered left and could not be corrected. It departed the left side of the runway, traveled down a sharp incline, and nosed over. The pilot released his restraint and exited the aircraft.
Examination
A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the runway and airplane the same day. The aircraft left the left side of the runway approximately 425 feet from the approach end and came to rest inverted in grass off the east side. Runway marks included dark streaks from the right tire along the centerline starting about 350 feet from the approach edge, continuing continuously off the east edge onto grass. Left tire marks were too light to photograph, while tailwheel marks—described as "squiggly"—began about 50 feet past the start of the right tire marks and also continued off the east edge.
Brake and Flight Control Inspection
The inspector found no flat spots on either main landing gear tire. While the aircraft was inverted, both wheels rotated freely with no resistance; brakes were attached and appeared serviceable. Brake lines were intact with no evidence of fluid loss. The airplane was then uprighted, causing additional damage: the right main landing gear was further damaged, the right brake line fractured, the right outer wheel half fractured, and a brake caliper bolt sheared, separating the caliper. Fluid noted leaking from the fractured right brake line produced a one-foot round stain on the pavement. Operational testing of the left brake revealed no failure or malfunction. The right brake could not be tested due to recovery-related damage. Flight control continuity for roll, pitch, and yaw was confirmed with no evidence of binding or malfunction.