NTSB Factual Report

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane lost control of the single-engine airplane during the takeoff roll from runway 04. The pilot and his pilot-rated passenger were not injured. The light sport airplane was registered to and operated by the owner, who was occupying the front seat of the tandem fabric covered airplane. Local law enforcement personnel, that responded to the accident site, reported that they were told by the owner of the airplane that they were attempting to take off from the 4,525-foot long, by 75-foot wide asphalt runway, when a gust of wind "forced the airplane off the runway." The 466-hours pilot, who reported having accumulated 22 hours in the make and model, further stated that he noticed "a virtual wall of tall mesquite-like scrub trees, near my right wingtip" as another gust of wind blew the airplane further to the right. The pilot believes that he "pulled back on the stick, causing the airplane to stall." The right wingtip proceeded to strike the ground followed by the left wingtip and then the aircraft nose section. The airplane, which was reported to have accumulated a total of 33 hours since new, sustained structural damage to the left wing and engine mounts during the accident sequence. At around the time of the accident, the owner of the airplane reported that the winds were from 360 degrees at 11 knots. Another weather report reported the wind from 020 degrees at 20 knots, gusting to 29 knots. At 1253, the automatic weather recorded at the airport was reporting winds from 030 degrees at 15 knots, gusting to 20 knots at the time of the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for the existing crosswind conditions and failure to maintain proper runway alignment.