CHRISTAVIA MK-1 N5075T accident near Anchorage, Alaska

Probable cause

The instructor pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during takeoff, which resulted in a wing impacting a runway light.

NTSB analysis

The flight instructor reported that he was conducting tailwheel training in a tailwheel-equipped airplane. During takeoff with a left crosswind, the instructor prompted the pilot receiving training to focus on keeping left aileron control input to compensate for the crosswind during departure. During the takeoff roll the flight instructor realized the airplane had drifted to the right side of the runway. He took control of the airplane, banked the airplane left, and added left rudder, and the left wing struck a runway light, resulting in substantial damage to the wing and aileron. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC23LA043 for the full record.