N8031M

On July 8, 1995, at 1945 central daylight time, an experimental Avid Flyer, N8031M, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing. The aircraft had climbed to 200 feet after takeoff and experienced problems with the ailerons. The private pilot received minor injuries. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was departing a private airstrip at Auburn, Kansas, on a local flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.

The pilot stated that he had flown with his son in November of 1994, and that the controls felt spongy so he decided to return and land. He flew the airplane one more time in November 1994 and noted that the ailerons still felt spongy. He didn't fly the airplane again until the day of the accident, almost eight months later.

He departed his private airstrip and during takeoff he "wiggled" his wings at 50 feet. He felt the same control problem that he had felt in November. At about 200 feet AGL he reduced power and started a 15 degee angle of bank turn to return to the runway. When he tried to return the controls to level flight, the ailerons were unresponsive and the airplane continued to roll. At about 50 feet he applied full power and right rudder. The airplane hit the ground at near wings level.

The pilot stated that he could have reduced power too much and got too slow, which stalled the aircraft. He believed the combination of aileron sluggishness and slow flight was the problem. He also stated that he had not flown recently.

He further stated that he should have performed his preflight differently. He knew that the ailerons were not quite right and that he should have had a pilot with more experience look over the aileron control rigging before he flew the airplane again.