Accident Sequence
During the takeoff roll of an experimental light sport weight-shift control airplane, the rear-seated student pilot was at the controls. A flight instructor occupied the front seat. According to the flight instructor, after the aircraft lifted off, it began to drift left toward an airport windsock. The instructor announced that he was assuming control and attempted to correct the flight path and initiate a climb. However, the student pilot remained frozen on the control bar. The control bar pressure then reversed, causing the aircraft to pitch up rapidly. This led to an aerodynamic stall, and the aircraft impacted the ground left wing first.
Pilot Statements
The student pilot stated that he stayed on the controls throughout the entire accident sequence and was unaware that the flight instructor was trying to take control. Neither pilot reported any mechanical malfunctions during the flight.
Pilot Experience
The flight instructor reported a total of 308 hours of flight experience, with 17 hours in the same make and model as the accident aircraft. The student pilot previously held a private pilot certificate and had accumulated about 175 hours in single-engine airplanes, but had not actively flown for about 24 years. At the time of the accident, he had about 5 hours in weight-shift control aircraft.
Damage
The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the left wing.