Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
the pilot's premature rotation and liftoff, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and subsequent hard touchdown.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
On September 14, 1995, about 1600 Pacific daylight time, a Sjostrand Wheeler Express homebuilt experimental airplane, N360EZ, collided with the runway following a loss of control during the takeoff initial climb at Mariposa, California. The aircraft was owned and operated by the pilot, and was beginning a local area personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft incurred substantial damage. The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.
The pilot reported that this was the first flight of the newly constructed aircraft. After liftoff, the aircraft experienced an unexpected departure stall and settled to the runway from about 12 feet. The aircraft touched down hard and collapsed the nose and left main landing gear.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# LAX95LA336