N1068S

On August 2, 2003, about 0920 central daylight time, an amateur-built Gerlach Skyraider II, N1068S, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage when it impacted a road after takeoff from the northwest ultralight runway (1,200 feet by 100 feet, turf), at the Wittman Regional Airport, Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The flight was performed during the annual Experimental Aircraft Association gathering. The pilot reported that the engine lost power during the takeoff. The 14 CFR Part 91 business flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The local flight was originating when the accident occurred.

In a written report of the accident, the pilot stated that the takeoff roll was long and the airplane's engine seemed to lose power. He stated that he "released [the] flaps to gain speed but the engine seem[ed] to have less power." The pilot said that after clearing the fence at the end of the runway, he turned right and crashed on the road. In his written report, the pilot listed no mechanical malfunction of the airplane.

In a written statement to the Winnebago County Sheriff's Department, the pilot stated that the engine power "wasn't up to its normal standard. It did takeoff [and] seemed to get better but all of a sudden it seemed to lose power again. I tried to release the flaps to get some speed and the plane didn't respond." The pilot stated that the airplane kept losing speed and power. He stated that when the airplane cleared the fence, he attempted to land on the road.

The passenger reported that the accident flight was his second flight of the day in the accident airplane. He stated that on the accident flight the pilot used flaps during the takeoff. He stated that, in his opinion, the use of the flaps produced enough drag to slow the aircraft's speed on takeoff.

A witness stated that he observed the accident airplane during the takeoff. He stated that the airplane was "going too slow, too low, and it was climbing too steeply." The witness stated that the airplane then stalled and struck the ground. He stated that the airplane's engine was running until the airplane struck the ground.

A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no pre-impact anomalies.