Accident Overview
On January 9, 2016, at approximately 1600 eastern standard time, an experimental amateur-built Avid Mark IV, registration N72MT, was substantially damaged following a forced landing after takeoff from Florida Flying Gators Ultralight Flightpark (3FD4) in Minneola, Florida. The sport pilot was seriously injured. The airplane was privately owned and operated under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident.
Pilot's Account
The pilot reported that after takeoff, he turned onto the crosswind leg of the traffic pattern. He performed a steep turn to avoid horses off the end of the runway. He then noticed the smell of "burning wires" and "may have seen a wisp of smoke." At 300 feet above the ground, while still climbing, the engine "sputtered, then died." The pilot made a radio call indicating he was returning to the runway. Subsequently, the left wing stalled, and the airplane rolled inverted and entered a downward spiral. The airplane collided with two trees during the descent before impacting the terrain. The airplane came to rest in a grassy area, inverted.
Examination Findings
Inspectors with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) examined the wreckage and observed structural damage to the fuselage, empennage, and both wings. An FAA airworthiness inspector examined the engine and found no evidence of a mechanical failure or malfunction. No arcing or burn signatures were present on the engine's electrical wiring or connectors. A postaccident test run of the engine could not be performed due to impact damage.
Pilot Information
The pilot received his sport pilot certificate on September 2, 2015, following a two-week training course. He reported 120 hours of total flight time, including 100 hours as pilot-in-command. He also reported 65 hours in the accident airplane make and model, all as pilot-in-command. After the accident, the pilot stated that he took additional lessons with his original flight instructor to practice emergency procedures, stalls, and stall recovery.