Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed to avoid an aerodynamic stall during takeoff/initial climb.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
The pilot reported that the takeoff roll was normal and that he used the standard Short Takeoff and Landing (STOL) takeoff procedure. After climbing to about 50 to 75 feet, the right wing suddenly lifted and the wing slats lost their STOL lift. The pilot stated that the airplane then slipped to the left, and being unable to recover, the left wing impacted the ground, which resulted in the airplane cartwheeling and coming to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the empennage. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# WPR13CA297