BUSHBY MUSTANG II N284ND accident near Maricopa, Arizona

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during takeoff with a quartering right tailwind.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that, crosswind conditions existed when he began the takeoff roll in the tailwheel-equipped airplane. After reaching takeoff speed, the airplane began to veer left of the centerline. He applied right rudder control inputs, but the airplane would not return to the center of the runway. He applied aft elevator control and the airplane became airborne, but the airplane settled back down on the right wing, followed by the left wing, then struck the runway surface and the airplane spun around. The airplane came to rest at the midfield taxiway intersection, after travelling about 200 ft along the ground. The wings and fuselage were substantially damaged. Post-accident examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of a mechanical failure or malfunction which would have precluded normal operation.

A review of weather information indicated that the airplane likely departed with a quartering right tailwind.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR21LA168 for the full record.