What happened
The accident occurred during what was intended to be a routine taxi test. The pilot had flown the aircraft for the first time with the owner only one day prior to the incident. During that earlier flight, the owner indicated that the pilot required assistance to safely take off or land the aircraft.
On the day of the accident, the owner instructed the pilot to taxi the aircraft around the airfield to become familiar with the brake response. Instead of remaining on the ground as directed, the pilot proceeded down the runway and initiated a takeoff roll. During this phase, the pilot lost control of the aircraft. The aircraft lifted off briefly, reaching an altitude of approximately 3 to 5 feet above ground level. At this height, the left wing dipped significantly. The aircraft then settled back onto the runway surface before veering sharply to the right, ultimately colliding with the terrain.
The investigation
Investigation findings focused on the sequence of events leading to the loss of control. Evidence confirmed that the pilot had limited experience with the specific aircraft type, having flown it only once previously under direct supervision. The owner's prior statement regarding the need for assistance during critical flight phases was a key factor in understanding the pilot's proficiency level at the time of the accident.
Findings
The primary contributing factors included the pilot's decision to initiate takeoff despite lacking sufficient proficiency and the subsequent loss of directional control. The aircraft's departure from the runway environment was directly linked to the pilot's inability to manage the aircraft during the initial climb phase, resulting in a wing drop and ground impact.