N22FE

On May 29, 1999, approximately 0915 mountain daylight time, a Dehaan Challenger II ultralight, N22FE, owned and operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged after impacting terrain during initial climb following takeoff from a private airstrip 27 miles north of Douglas, Wyoming. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant aboard, received minor injuries. No flight plan had been filed for the local area personal flight operating under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.

According to the pilot, takeoff from runway 08's grass strip was normal. During initial climb, the left wing dropped to an angle of 10 to 15 degrees. The pilot added full right rudder, but was unable to level the wings. The aircraft continued in a climbing left turn for approximately 30 feet, then began to descend. The airplane struck the ground on a heading of 320 degrees left wing tip first, followed by the nose and tail wheel. The aircraft continued rotating to the left another 270 degrees, and came to rest on a heading of 050 in an open, grassy field.

In a telephone interview with the pilot, he stated that there were no mechanical problems with the airplane, and that he did not sufficiently correct for the torque creating during the takeoff at slow airspeed.