What happened
During the takeoff roll, the pilot of the twin-engine tailwheel cargo airplane experienced a significant yaw to the right. In an attempt to counteract what was perceived as a right-hand crosswind, the pilot applied left rudder and utilized differential power. As the aircraft achieved lift-off, it entered a sharp right turn and underwent a series of left and right banking maneuvers. The aircraft subsequently struck the ground, sliding through security fencing and a fuel supply depot before coming to a final stop.
Inside the cargo compartment, the load of plastic-wrapped newspaper bundles shifted from the two forward bays toward the rear of the compartment. Investigations noted that the cargo floor was slippery and contained traces of snow. While a cargo net was secured at the forward end of the load, it was not secured at the aft end, though two straps were crisscrossed over the net and fastened to the rear of the cargo.
Findings
An examination of the engine controls revealed that the left throttle was positioned at full forward, while the right throttle was located one inch behind the full forward position. The unsecured rear portion of the cargo net allowed the newspaper bundles to shift during the flight phase.