Accident Sequence
The accident occurred during takeoff on a runway measuring 100 feet in width. The experimental racing airplane, modified for air racing and assembled from U.S. and Russian aircraft components, drifted to the right-hand edge of the runway. It then continued off the runway until it struck a berm located at the midfield taxiway. The impact with the berm damaged the landing gear and deflected the aircraft to the left and into the air. While airborne, the airplane traveled back across the runway. It came to rest in the dirt on the left side of the runway, approximately 3,000 feet from the start of the takeoff roll.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The single-seat aircraft was acquired by the pilot about one month before the accident. This takeoff was the pilot's first in the aircraft. At the time of the accident, there was a left, quartering crosswind reported at 16 knots with gusts to 22 knots.