Cessna 170A, N1311D: Accident occurred June 17, 2016 in Palmer, Alaska

http://registry.faa.gov/N1311D

FAA Flight Standards District Office:  FAA Anchorage FSDO-03

NTSB Identification: GAA16CA324
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Friday, June 17, 2016 in Palmer, AK
Probable Cause Approval Date: 08/31/2016
Aircraft: CESSNA 170, registration: N1311D
Injuries: 2 Uninjured.

NTSB investigators used data provided by various entities, including, but not limited to, the Federal Aviation Administration and/or the operator and did not travel in support of this investigation to prepare this aircraft accident report.

The pilot of a tailwheel equipped airplane reported that during a gusty crosswind takeoff from a dry lake bed the left wing lifted and unbeknownst to the pilot, the right wing contacted the ground. The pilot further reported that during the initial climb, the airplane turned right despite full left rudder and aileron inputs. The airplane turned downwind about 4-6 feet off the ground, encountered a tailwind which "pushed the airplane down", descended onto a puddle, hydroplaned, and nosed over.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and aileron.

The pilot reported there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The pilot's failure to maintain a wings-level attitude during takeoff in gusty wind conditions, which resulted in the right wing striking the ground, a loss of lateral bank control, and a nose over during the subsequent landing.