Probable cause
The pilot's loss of airplane control during takeoff, which resulted in a runway excursion.
NTSB analysis
According to the pilot, he did not align the tailwheel-equipped airplane with the runway before applying power. During the takeoff roll, the airplane drifted off the side of the runway and nosed down. A postaccident examination revealed that the airplane had sustained substantial damage to the fuselage in the vicinity of the right main landing gear attachment point. The pilot did not report any mechanical abnormalities of the airplane. The pilot had recently received a tailwheel endorsement.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA12CA220 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Mar 4, 2012
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Beverly, Massachusetts
- Nearest airport
- Beverly Municipal Airport (BVY)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
American Champion Aircraft 8KCAB
- N-number
- N7DF
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.