NTSB Factual Report

On July 23, 2016, about 0930 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Velocity TXL, N916TC, was substantially damaged during a forced after takeoff from Sebastian Municipal Airport (X26), Sebastian, Florida. The commercial pilot and passenger were not injured. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the flight, which originated from X26, about 0925.

According to the pilot, he noted that the engine did not start right away on the first attempt. He then primed the engine and it started up immediately. Once the engine was started he then noted that the multi-function display (MFD) did not illuminate. As he began to taxi to the runway the MFD began to operate correctly. The pilot checked all of the instruments prior to takeoff and all indications were in the green. During the takeoff roll, he noted that he used up more of the runway than usual. Once the airplane rotated he noticed that the airplane was not climbing and then the engine lost total power. He did not have time to attempt a restart of the engine and performed a forced landing to a field.

A postaccident examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed the left canard was separated from the fuselage. The airplane was retained for further examination.