Accident Pitts S-1S N362JW, Wednesday 13 August 2008

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Date:	Wednesday 13 August 2008
Time:	09:00 LT
Type:	Pitts S-1S
Owner/operator:	Private
Registration:	N362JW
MSN:	1-0056
Engine model:	Lycoming AEIO-360-B4A
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	Crawford, Colorado - United States of America
Phase:	Take off
Nature:	Private
Departure airport:	Crawford, CO
Destination airport:
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
During the takeoff roll after the tailwheel lifted off the runway, the airplane encountered a "strong left crosswind." The pilot attempted to correct with right rudder; however, the airplane departed the runway surface. Subsequently, the airplane contacted rough/uneven terrain, flipped over and came to rest inverted. The pilot and witnesses reported the winds at the time of calm with intermittent gusts.

Probable Cause: the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff. Contributing to the accident were wind gusts and rough terrain.

Accident investigation: