Accident Summary
A student pilot was conducting a takeoff in a weight-shift control aircraft. According to the pilot, his memory of the event was spotty. He recalled that during the takeoff roll, the aircraft climbed to about 30 feet above the ground. At that moment, his foot slipped off the throttle pedal. The aircraft then dove toward the ground in a left bank and impacted the terrain.
Witness Accounts
Two witnesses observed the accident from the airport fuel pumps. One witness reported that during the takeoff, once the aircraft was airborne, it drifted to the left of the runway. The student pilot appeared to correct the drift and the aircraft moved back toward the runway. Suddenly, the left wing struck the ground, and the aircraft impacted the terrain. The second witness reported that the aircraft touched down and flipped over.
Aircraft Damage
The aircraft sustained substantial damage to both wings.
Weather Conditions
The airport's automated weather observation station reported that, about 5 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 030° at 5 knots. The student pilot was departing on runway 02.