NTSB Factual Report

On July 14, 2018, about 1000 Pacific daylight time, a Cassutt IIIM, experimental amateur built airplane, N43SJ, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain near Rosamond Skypark Airport (L00), Rosamond, California. The private pilot received minor injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The local flight was originating at the time.

According to the pilot, who also performed the maintenance on the airplane, he completed a preflight inspection of the airplane. He then taxied to runway 26 and accomplished an engine run-up to a static rpm of 2,450 before he took off. The pilot reported that he normally expects to see the airplane achieve about 2,450 rpm during the takeoff roll and between 2,400 and 2,800 rpm during the climb. The engine rpm indicated 2,400 rpm during the takeoff roll, but after the airplane lifted off the ground and approached about 50 ft above ground level (agl), the engine rpm reduced to about 2,180 rpm. He was unsuccessful in regaining the lost power by cycling the fuel/air mixture control before the airplane descended to the ground.

A witness who was near the departure end of runway 26, at the time of the accident, reported that he observed the engine lose power momentarily. The airplane then began a left turn and immediately impacted the ground on the airplane's nose before it came to rest.

The forward fuselage and right wing were substantially damaged. The wreckage was retained for further examination.