N30KR

On August 27, 2004, approximately 1530 central daylight time, an amateur-built Lancair 320 single-engine airplane, N30KR, registered and operated by a private individual, sustained substantial damage when it impacted terrain following a loss of control during takeoff from the Houston Southwest Airport (AXH) near Houston, Texas. The commercial pilot and his passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The cross-country flight was destined for the Southeast Texas Regional Airport near Beaumont, Texas.

The 1,070-hour pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that during takeoff from Runway 9 (a 5,000-foot long and 100-foot wide asphalt runway) the airplane became airborne at an airspeed of approximately 90 knots. The pilot added that when the airplane was approximately 3 feet above the ground, the "takeoff pitch was too steep," and the airplane settled back onto the runway drifting left of the runway centerline. Subsequently, the airplane exited the left side of the runway and impacted a culvert at an intersecting taxiway before coming to rest in an upright position.

Examination of the airplane by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who responded to the site of the accident, revealed that the nose wheel was folded under the engine. Both wings and the bottom side of the fuselage sustained structural damage. The engine firewall was also bent.

At 1453, the automated weather observing system at the Sugar Land Regional Airport, located approximately 11 nautical miles northwest of AXH, reported wind from 140 degrees at 9 knots, visibility 10 statute mile, scattered clouds at 4,400, temperature 91 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 77 degrees Fahrenheit, and an altimeter setting of 29.97 inches of Mercury.

The pilot reported that at the time of the accident, the wind was from the southeast at 15 knots.