Accident
On 18 May 2019, at approximately 18:25 local time, a Stinson 108 aircraft (registration SP-YCW) operated by a private owner experienced an accident during takeoff at the Bezmiechowa airfield in Poland. The aircraft was substantially damaged, but the pilot and two passengers on board sustained no injuries.
Sequence of Events
The pilot, a 65-year-old male holding an ATPL(A) license with over 10,000 hours of total flight time, had delayed the start of the flight to wait for gliders belonging to AOS Bezmiechowa to land before an approaching thunderstorm. Around 18:00, a thunderstorm with rain was approaching from the east. After the gliders landed, the Stinson 108 taxied onto the lower runway. The pilot radioed readiness for departure. The flight instructor managing operations informed that the runway was clear, with light tailwind, and authorized takeoff.
The aircraft began its takeoff roll heading south. As the speed approached rotation speed, a gust of wind from the thunderstorm cloud caused the aircraft to turn left. Despite the pilot's full application of rudder and right brake, the aircraft continued to turn, changing direction by approximately 40 degrees. The pilot assessed that, given the speed and the terrain sloping downward in that direction, lifting off before reaching a forest on the left side of the runway was too risky. He decided to abort the takeoff. He reduced engine power to idle, leaned the mixture, applied wheel brakes, and used full rudder to deepen the left turn, intending to perform a ground loop and avoid collision with trees. During this maneuver, the aircraft tilted to the right, the right wingtip struck the ground, and the aircraft nosed over, rotating onto its back around an axis connecting the right wingtip and the right wheel. The aircraft came to rest approximately 70 meters from the forest edge.
Cause
The accident investigation determined that the cause was the pilot's decision to take off when weather conditions were deteriorating. A circumstance conducive to the accident was that the pilot had delayed his departure, waiting for the gliders to land before the approaching storm.
Aircraft Information
The Stinson 108 was privately owned, insured, and possessed the required technical and operational documentation. The pilot held valid licenses and medical certificates necessary for the flight.