Stearman
Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 53; Flight Crew Total 12465; Flight Crew Type 2212
Communication Breakdown
Conflict Ground Conflict; Critical
General None Reported / Taken
Human Factors
I took off Runway 6 after making radio call and saw and heard nothing; I did not realize another very small aircraft had landed on opposite runway. I apologized to other pilot as I passed over him at about 50 feet. I had been flying all that day and everyone had been using Runway 6. I had been giving free rides away all day and turned the radio down while switching passengers. But the time from picking up passengers to takeoff was about 30 seconds not enough time to hear someone changing runways I now will forever keep my radio on at all times and additionally ask if anyone is in pattern before taking the active at an uncontrolled airport.
Stearman pilot reported accidentally turning the volume down on the radio and during takeoff observing another aircraft landing on the opposite end of the runway.