On 1 Sep 2013, a MAXAIR DRIFTER DRIFTER II operated by David A. Gregory was involved in an aviation accident near Lafayette, TN. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the initial climb after takeoff in gusty wind conditions, which resulted in a hard off-airport landing. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 2 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
An amateur-built amphibious light-sport airplane encountered severe turbulence during initial climb, leading to a hard landing in a soy bean field, causing substantial fuselage damage.
Accident Sequence
The pilot of an amateur-built, amphibious, light-sport airplane reported that the airplane accelerated and lifted off from the asphalt runway without incident. During the initial climb, the airplane encountered "severe turbulence." The pilot was unable to maintain control and was attempting to return to the airport when the airplane landed hard in a soy bean field, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage.
Investigation Findings
Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot did not report any mechanical issues.
Pilot Report
The pilot reported that winds at the time of the accident were light and variable, with gusts up to 8 knots.
Contributing factors
Causes
PilotPerformance/control parameters — Not attained/maintained