N7478T

On July 23, 2005, about 1000 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire-equipped homebuilt experimental Jeska Murphy Rebel airplane, N7478T, sustained substantial damage when the landing gear struck a ditch during takeoff initial climb from a remote gravel bar on the Wulik River, about 12 miles east of Kivalina, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by the pilot. The private certificated pilot, and the sole passenger, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight was en route to Noatak, Alaska, and no flight plan was filed, nor was one required.

During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on July 25, the pilot reported that he was departing a gravel bar that was about 900 feet long. During the takeoff, the airplane lifted off, and then settled slightly. The main landing gear tires collided with the lip of a ditch, shearing off the main gear. The airplane then skidded on the gravel surface for about 25 feet. The airplane received structural damage to the fuselage, and the main landing gear attach points.