Overview
A pilot and part-owner of an airplane decided to fly with a friend. The preflight inspection and ground run-up check were unremarkable. The pilot elected to allow the friend to fly the airplane.
Flight Details
According to the pilot flying, the airplane departed using a short-field technique and climbed to 150 feet above ground level (agl). At that altitude, he pushed forward on the flight control stick to lower the nose to a straight and level flight attitude. Upon completing the pushover maneuver, the airplane began to sink. In response, he pushed the control stick further forward to gain airspeed while maintaining full engine power. Subsequently, the left wing dipped, followed by the right wing dropping off sharply. He applied full left rudder and full left aileron. The right wing started to recover, but there was insufficient altitude, and the airplane impacted the ground.
Witness Observations
Ground witnesses reported observing the airplane take off and climb in a nose-high attitude of about 45 degrees. As it gained altitude, it struggled to gain airspeed. At the highest point of the climb, approximately 100 feet agl, the wings dipped to the right and then to the left, wobbling. The airplane began to nose down toward the right in a steep angle. The wings wobbled again. The nose of the airplane started to rise just before the right wing tip contacted the ground. The airplane then spun 180 degrees and came to a full stop on its right side.