NTSB Factual Report

On May 2, 2002, about 1230 Pacific daylight time, an American Champion 8KCAB, N86AA, registered to and operated by the pilot as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, collided with the terrain during the takeoff ground roll from the Davenport Airport, Davenport, Washington. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft was substantially damaged and the commercial pilot and his passenger were not injured. The aircraft was departing for Chelan, Washington.

During a telephone interview and subsequent written statement, the pilot reported that during the takeoff ground roll from runway 23 with a 20 to 25 knot wind with gusts to 30 plus knots from 200 degrees, the aircraft traveled from behind a row of hangars that parallel the runway. At this point, as the aircraft was just lifting off the runway, a strong gust of wind picked up the left wing. The pilot tried to lower the left wing, however the wing continued to raise and the right wing contacted the runway surface. The aircraft "cart wheeled" onto its nose then struck the tail, coming to rest upright off the right side of the runway.

The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the aircraft at the time.

The weather reported at Spokane, Washington, 26 nautical miles east of Davenport, was reporting at 1156, wind from 220 degrees at 19 knots, gusting to 27 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to adequately compensate for the wind conditions during takeoff. Gusting wind was a factor.