The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped biplane reported that, during takeoff, he added power and the airplane veered left, which he was unable to "check." The airplane veered off the runway to the left and impacted the precision approach path indicator (PAPI) lights, spun 180°, and came to rest in the grass adjacent to the runway.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the lower right wing.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

The automated weather observation station, located 5 miles to the northwest, reported that, about 5 minutes after the accident, the wind was calm. The pilot was departing runway 17.