N8109E – EICHHORN GARY L SKYRAIDER I – 2016-03-16 NTSB Accident Report

On March 16, 2016, a Eichhorn Gary L SKYRAIDER I (N8109E) was involved in an accident near Erwin, NC. The accident resulted in 1 minor injury. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.

The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind which resulted in a loss of directional control.

The pilot/owner reported that he was departing on his first flight in the experimental airplane he had just purchased. He began the takeoff roll to the west and the wind pushed the airplane towards the right side of the runway. He attempted to correct with left rudder, but the airplane continued to the right. He then added left aileron, but the airplane continued right and the right wing struck a tree limb. According to the pilot, "The next thing I knew I was on the ground."The pilot reported he had 200 total hours of flight experience, and that his experience was divided between both certified and experimental airplanes. He stated that his airplane had no mechanical deficiencies that would have precluded normal operation.

This accident is documented in NTSB report ERA16CA134. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N8109E.