N235BW

On January 10, 2003, at 1305 eastern standard time, a Shaw Atlantica 235FG, N235BW, registered to and operated by a private owner, collided with the ground shortly after liftoff from runway 27R at Melbourne International Airport, in Melbourne, Florida. The inadvertent flight operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane was substantially damaged, and the private pilot received minor injuries. The airplane departed Melbourne, Florida, on January 10, 2003 at the approximate time of the accident.

According to the pilot, the purpose of the airplane operation was to complete high speed taxi maneuvers as part of the aircraft certification requirement. The pilot said there was no intention of flight. However, during the high speed taxi, the pilot raised the nose of the airplane and it became airborne. The airplane climbed with a high angle of attack to approximately 100 feet. The pilot then reduced the power to idle and lowered the airplane nose. The airplane collided with the ground as the pilot attempted to recover from the inadvertent flight. During the collision with the ground the ballistic recovery parachute was deployed, and the airplane was dragged 200 feet off the runway.

The pilot reported no mechanical problems with the airplane. Examination of the airplane revealed cracks in both wings and collapsed landing gear. Aircraft maintenance logs were not recovered for examination