NTSB Factual Report

On May 23, 2002, at 1100 central daylight time, a Cessna A185E, N4747Q, owned and piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage when the pilot experienced a loss of directional control on takeoff and nosed over at the edge of the runway. The takeoff was being conducted on runway 27 (4,200 feet by 75 feet, dry, asphalt) at the Grand Marais Cook County Airport (CKC), Grand Marais, Illinois. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of accident and no flight plan was filed. The personal flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot, the sole person on board, reported no injuries. The flight to Flying Cloud Airport (FCM), Minneapolis, Minnesota, was originating at the time of the accident.

According to a written statement by the pilot, the preflight and run-up were uneventful. The pilot reported that during the back taxi, full left rudder inputs were required to keep the tailwheel aircraft on the centerline. He stated that he turned the aircraft into the wind by applying left brake; only modest right brake pressure was required at that time to rotate the tail. The pilot reported that he announced his departure intentions on the common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF) and advanced the throttle fully for takeoff. The pilot recalled that approximately 20 feet into the takeoff roll the aircraft was struck by a gust of wind from the left side, forcing the tail from the centerline to the right. The pilot reported, "full right rudder was applied which partially slowed the swinging tail, but did not return the tail to centerline. Partial brake was also applied on the right side, which also failed to center the tail. Sensing an imminent ground loop, the aircraft tail was raised in attempt to get airborne. At this time, the aircraft was again struck by a gust of wind, which again sent the tail to the right, despite the pressure of full right rudder and considerable right brake." The pilot stated that the right wingtip impacted the runway, moving the aircraft in a left arc toward the left side of the runway. Full right brake was applied with no effect. The pilot reported the propeller struck the runway surface approximately five to ten yards from the edge of the runway. The propeller then struck the dirt at the edge of the runway, stopping forward movement and the aircraft nosed over.

The wind was reported to be 210 degrees and 13 knots gusting to 22 knots at the time of the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot displayed inadequate compensation for the wind conditions that existed at the time of the accident and directional control was not maintained. A factor associated with the accident was the crosswind weather condition.