What happened
On July 14, 2015, an unregistered Air Creation Clipper 582 collided with terrain shortly after departing runway 31 from Clark County Airport (8D7) in Clark, South Dakota. The flight was being conducted under day visual meteorological conditions for personal use.
During the initial climb, a witness observed the aircraft reach approximately 100 feet before experiencing a reduction in engine power. The aircraft then pitched down and entered a 20-degree left wing-down bank before descending into the ground. The passenger reported that the aircraft turned onto its side at roughly 100 feet above the ground. The impact resulted in 2 serious injuries to the pilot and passenger, and the aircraft sustained substantial damage.
Video footage recorded by the passenger showed the aircraft taxiing and then taking off. Approximately 12 seconds after liftoff, the footage captured the aircraft entering a steep left bank. Shortly after this roll, the audio recorded a reduction in engine power, and the aircraft continued in a steep bank until the recording ended.
The investigation
An examination of the wreckage by an airworthiness inspector and an engine manufacturer found significant impact damage to the forward cabin. The engine, a Rotax 582, remained attached to its mounts, and the four-blade propeller remained attached to the shaft, though all blades showed impact damage. Several airframe and wing brace cables were found wrapped around the propeller shaft, indicating the engine was operating at the time of impact.
No mechanical failures or preimpact anomalies were identified in the fuselage, wing, or weight-shift control system. The engine was tested and found to have been capable of normal operation. The fuel tank contained automotive fuel premixed with two-cycle oil, and the fuel shutoff valve was found in the open position.
Toxicological testing of the pilot revealed the presence of ethanol, methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana in both blood and urine samples. The pilot's blood ethanol level was measured at 0.046% approximately 40 to 60 minutes after the accident.