N110DK

On February 13, 2003, about 1015 Pacific standard time, an experimental Kesterson Nieuport 11 airplane, N110DK, sustained substantial damage following an aborted takeoff and subsequent nose over at the Independence State Airport, Independence, Oregon. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The airplane is owned by the pilot, and was being operated as a personal flight under the provisions of Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the local flight.

During a telephone conversation with an investigator from the National Transportation Safety Board, and subsequent written statement (attached), the pilot reported that the airplane (powered by a 60 horsepower Volkswagen engine) yawed to the right immediately after liftoff. The pilot aborted the takeoff and the airplane settled back onto the ground, well right of the runway. After touching down, the airplane encountered soft/muddy terrain and nosed over.

In his written report, the pilot indicated that his last flight review, conducted in a Cessna 175, was completed on May 15, 1992.