What happened
During an air show performance, a pilot was executing a specialized car-top takeoff and landing routine. Following a successful landing and interaction with the crowd, the pilot and a driver positioned the aircraft at the departure end of the runway to begin the takeoff roll. As the vehicle reached the target speed of 43 miles per hour, the pilot monitored the release of the left and right main landing gear tire assemblies.
During the actuation of the release system, the forward section of the wheel stops moved forward and down. After the tires were released, the pilot applied full power and pulled back on the control stick. During this maneuver, the aircraft rolled forward into the concave wheel stops. The tail wheel struck a support tube on the car located just above the rear window, causing the aircraft to bounce briefly before becoming entangled in the left-hand ramp of the vehicle.
This entanglement caused the aircraft's movement to shift from forward to lateral toward the left. As the aircraft rotated and rolled, the left elevator made contact with the outside of the left-hand ramp, resulting in the component being crushed and the entire empennage being twisted. The maneuver concluded when the left wing tip dipped and struck the ground.
Findings
- The aircraft's tail wheel became entangled in the car's left-hand ramp after striking a support tube.
- Lateral movement caused the left elevator to strike the vehicle's ramp, leading to structural damage to the empennage.
- The impact of the wing tip against the ground occurred as a result of the aircraft's rotation and loss of stability during the maneuver.