Decathlon 8KCAB
Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 79; Flight Crew Total 319; Flight Crew Type 21
Distraction; Situational Awareness
Ground Event / Encounter Ground Strike - Aircraft; Ground Excursion Runway; Inflight Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged
Aircraft; Human Factors
Newly signed off for conventional gear (tail wheel) private pilot. I was practicing takeoffs and landings at my local airport. Doing this solo because my insurance company required 10 hours of dual in this airplane and 10 hours solo; which I probably would have done with or without the requirement. I had my approximate 12 hours of dual accomplished and was just starting to work on the solo. I had done two full stop takeoffs and landings with no problem; staying in the pattern. The day was very hot so on each taxi-back I had opened the window for cooling while on the ground. Upon my third taxi-back and takeoff; having lined up on the end of the runway and powering up the throttle; I noticed the window was left open. I took my attention off the runway for a second to close the window with the hand I had had on the throttle and looking back I was way off runway lineup and heading for the grass. Trying to react and straiten up was unsuccessful and I rolled through the grass to a small hill hitting it; striking the prop into the dirt and stripping off the right landing gear. As for what really caused the problem; I take full responsibility for allowing myself to be distracted by the window which would have not been a problem to leave open in the first place. I learned a valuable and costly lesson that I really already knew in my training from student and tail wheel instruction. My Tail Wheel Instructor had told me multiple times 'not to turn your back on the airplane even for a second' and I always agreed with that instruction. I simply allowed myself to ignore that on this occasion for reasons I'm still struggling with understanding. As for what could be done to prevent this; I can only say that all pilots need to remember and heed the instructions that they are given when learning and not to take their eyes off the runway on takeoffs or landings for ANY reason other than the quick check of instrument that may be necessary. This is especially true if the distraction requires any taking hands off throttle or controls for even a second. Otherwise; tail wheel airplanes really do require more training and experience with an instructor because; in my experience; they are much more difficult to control and keep strait on the runway and recover from side to side movements than tricycle gear types. Although I may not be qualified to; I would be happy to impart this to anyone who is willing to listen and would like to fly this type of airplane.
Decathlon pilot experiences a runway excursion during takeoff after being distracted by an open window.