What happened
On July 11, 2012, an experimental Bunch Cozy-Canard III, registration N718JT, crashed during takeoff from Winslow-Lindbergh Regional Airport (INW) in Arizona. Prior to the accident, the pilot had landed at the airport at approximately 11:00 MST to refuel and had expressed concerns to airport personnel regarding a rough-running engine that required spark plug inspection. The pilot decided to attempt to clear the engine before calling a mechanic.
At approximately 12:40 MST, the aircraft departed using runway 29. Witnesses observed the airplane descend as it approached the end of the runway, striking an off-airport road and cartwheeling into a dirt field. The accident resulted in 1 fatality and 1 serious injury.
During the takeoff roll, the aircraft became airborne with 3,000 feet of runway remaining. At an altitude of between 25 and 40 feet, the nose of the aircraft dropped, prompting the pilot to pull back on the control stick. While the pilot managed to level the aircraft and establish a climb rate of 200 feet per minute, a second pitching event occurred at approximately 75 feet altitude. The aircraft reached a 30- to 45-degree nose-down attitude at an indicated airspeed of 95 mph. Despite further attempts to pull back on the stick, the pilot could not recover before the aircraft impacted the ground.
The investigation
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors examined the wreckage at the accident site. Post-accident examination of the engine and airframe, conducted in Phoenix, Arizona, showed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have prevented normal operation.
Calculations performed by investigators determined the aircraft's takeoff weight was approximately 1,852 pounds, which exceeded the manufacturer's maximum gross weight of 1,800 pounds. Additionally, the density altitude at the time of the accident was approximately 8,048 feet.