| Crash location | 45.936111°N, 118.412222°W |
| Nearest city | Milton-Freewater, OR
45.932635°N, 118.387743°W 1.2 miles away |
| Tail number | N9598Z |
|---|---|
| Accident date | 09 Jan 2017 |
| Aircraft type | Christen Industries Inc A 1 |
| Additional details: | None |
The pilot of a tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that while en route the engine had "slight roughness," so he decided to land in an open snow covered field on top of a hill to troubleshoot the issue. The pilot further reported that he was able to resolve the engine issue on the ground and decided to takeoff downhill with a tailwind. During the takeoff roll, the pilot reported that he "noticed [wind] gust on the tail," the main landing gear were "sucked down" in a one-foot snow drift, and the airplane nosed over.
The left wing, fuselage, and vertical stabilizer sustained substantial damage.
The pilot did not report any preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The pilot's decision to take off from unsuitable terrain with a tailwind, which resulted in a nose-over.