What happened
On 7 January 1999, a Bellanca 8GCBC, registration G-BCSM, was preparing for a private flight from Sherburn-in-Elmet Aerodrome to Rufforth. After picking up a passenger, the pilot lined up on the grass Runway 11. At the time, the surface conditions were described as soft and greasy due to recent wet weather, with a surface wind of 140°/07 kt.
As the takeoff roll commenced, the aircraft experienced a sudden leftward swing, eventually reaching an angle of 70° relative to the runway centerline. The pilot attempted to regain control using the rudder and right brake, but these inputs were insufficient to correct the deviation. Consequently, the pilot closed the throttle as the aircraft departed the runway surface. The aircraft entered a soft, ploughed field, where it pitched forward and came to rest in an inverted position. Both the pilot and the passenger sustained minor injuries, though the aircraft suffered substantial damage.
The investigation
The investigation examined the sequence of events following the pilot's submission of an accident report. Investigators looked into the effectiveness of the aircraft's braking and steering capabilities under the specific environmental conditions present on the day. The investigation also considered the state of the runway surface and the potential movement of the tail wheel during the initial stages of the takeoff roll.