At about 1421 Mountain time, the airplane was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain shortly after takeoff. The private pilot/owner received serious injuries. Visual conditions prevailed. According to witnesses, the airplanes initial climb “didnt look right.” They reported the airplane climbed to about 250 feet agl and appeared to “crab to the left.” The right wing dropped and the airplane descended to the ground. An FAA inspector established flight control continuity for all controls except the ailerons; he was unable to determine whether the flight control damage was impact-induced. Witnesses stated the pilot had accumulated about 40 hours in the airplane since he rebuilt it following a previous accident.
December 23, 2010, Glendale, Ariz., Kitfox 4 Experimental
At about 1421 Mountain time, the airplane was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain shortly after takeoff. The private pilot/owner received serious injuries. Visual conditions prevailed.According to witnesses, the airplanes initial climb "didnt look right." They reported the airplane climbed to about 250 feet agl and appeared to "crab to the left." The right wing dropped and the airplane descended to the ground.
Key Takeaways:
- An airplane was substantially damaged and its pilot seriously injured after crashing shortly after takeoff, with witnesses observing an erratic climb, crabbing to the left, and a rapid descent.
- Investigators established flight control continuity for most controls but could not determine if aileron damage was pre-impact, and noted the pilot had only accumulated 40 hours in the aircraft since rebuilding it after a previous accident.
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