N235LS

Substantial
Minor

Vans VANS RV 9S/N: 90866

Accident Details

Date
Wednesday, January 15, 2020
NTSB Number
ERA20CA075
Location
Coleman, FL
Event ID
20200115X23243
Coordinates
28.809444, -82.066390
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
1
Uninjured
0
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to properly configure the airplane for takeoff, which resulted in premature liftoff, loss of control, and collision with terrain.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N235LS
Make
VANS
Serial Number
90866
Model / ICAO
VANS RV 9

Analysis

The pilot had completed several takeoffs and full stop landings in the airport traffic pattern. During a subsequent touch and go landing the pilot did not retract the flaps fully after landing. The airplane then became airborne prematurely at too low an airspeed during the subsequent takeoff attempt. When the pilot attempted to lower the nose and gain airspeed the left wingtip contacted the ground and spun the airplane to the right. The propeller dug into the turf just off the runway and the airplane came to rest inverted in a ditch. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions 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# ERA20CA075