N171MB

On May 4, 2009, about 1345 eastern daylight time, an experimental Polaris Motors 582 FIB weight-shift aircraft, N171MB, crashed into trees and subsequently the ground shortly after takeoff from Lake Murray, Lexington, South Carolina. The personal flight was operated under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The non-certificated pilot and passenger received serious injuries and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

According to the passenger, her father was the pilot. She stated that neither of them had ever been in the airplane before. She added that they "put their seatbelts on took off and came down." When asked if the engine ran normally throughout the accident sequence, she replied, "yes it was running and sounded normal and never stopped."

The pilot's son, who was watching the takeoff, stated that after rotation and during the climb, the aircraft started a turn to the left toward rising terrain. The pilot attempted to climb over the rising terrain and trees. It appeared to the son that the aircraft stalled and crashed into the trees.

Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector found the airplane substantially damaged with the wings folded up and aft. Examination of the engine found both carburetors separated from the engine and hanging loose. Both carburetors had fuel in the fuel lines and float bowls. The engine was rotated and compression and engine continuity were established through to the accessory section. During examination of the spark plugs, an excess amount of fuel was found in the No. 1 cylinder. Examination of the three-bladed composite propeller found one propeller blade broken mid-span, while the remaining two propeller blades were not damaged and no scoring was noted on the blades' leading edges or surfaces.