Amateur-built CCK-1865 N247CC accident near Lewiston, Montana

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control in a gusting tailwind, which resulted in an impact with a tree.

NTSB analysis

The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that during a downhill takeoff roll from a grass strip with a gusting right quartering tailwind, the airplane started to veer to the right. The pilot applied left rudder control, and the airplane started to veer to the left. As the airplane became airborne, the airplane drifted left of the airstrip and struck a tree. Subsequently, the airplane landed hard on terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing.

The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. At the time of the accident, the pilot was taking off to the southeast with wind from 280° at 13 knots, gusting to 18 knots.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR25LA043 for the full record.