Accident Details
The accident occurred during the pilot's first flight on a recently purchased airplane. The pilot had conducted several high-speed taxi runs before taking off and entering the traffic pattern. After takeoff, the pilot flew downwind and set up for a full-stop landing. While on final approach, the aircraft descended to approximately 50 feet above a tree line. At that point, the right wing dropped downward. The pilot attempted to level the aircraft but lost control, and the aircraft collided with the ground short of the runway.
Post-Accident Examination
A post-accident examination conducted by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that both wings had separated from the aircraft and the fuselage was fragmented. According to the pilot, there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The reported wind conditions at the time of the accident were winds from 170 degrees at 5 knots.
Safety Study
In a 2012 safety study titled "The Safety of Experimental Amateur-Built Aircraft," the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) concluded that "purchasers of used [experimental amateur-built] (E-AB) aircraft face particular challenges in transitioning to the unfamiliar E-AB aircraft. Like builders of new E-AB aircraft, they must learn to manage the unique handling characteristics of their aircraft and learn the systems, structure, and equipment, but without the firsthand knowledge afforded to the builder." The NTSB recommended that the Federal Aviation Administration and the Experimental Aircraft Association "complete planned action to create a coalition of kit manufacturers, type clubs, and pilot and owner groups and (1) develop transition training resources and (2) identify and apply incentives to encourage both builders of experimental amateur-built aircraft and purchasers of used experimental amateur-built aircraft to complete the training that is developed."