Accident Details
A pilot reported that he was preparing a homebuilt airplane for its first flight for the owner. On the morning of the accident, the airplane's engine was run for approximately 30 minutes at full power for break-in. After the engine run, the cowling was reinstalled and the engine was run for an additional 15 minutes. Subsequently, the pilot performed taxi testing of the airplane.
Taxi Tests
The pilot made two taxi tests to about 40 miles per hour, which he estimated would be approximately the airplane's stall speed. On the third taxi test, when about two-thirds of the way down the runway, a gust of wind caused the airplane to become airborne. The pilot stated that when he was able to get the airplane under control, there was insufficient runway remaining to perform a landing, and he decided to continue and return for landing. He noted that this was to be a taxi test only and that he had no intention to fly the airplane at that time.
Climb and Descent
While attempting to climb, the pilot noticed that the engine speed was too high and he was not able to climb effectively. He attempted to turn the airplane back to the airport to make a downwind landing, but the airplane began to stall. He stated that he lowered the nose and determined that he would not be able to make the runway. As the airplane's altitude decayed, the pilot pulled back on the stick and the airplane struck the ground.
Propeller Pitch
The pilot stated that he believed that the pitch setting of the airplane's propeller was improper, which did not allow proper thrust production for flight. During the accident, the propeller blades were fragmented, and determination of the installed pitch setting could not be obtained.