NTSB Factual Report

On August 9, 2008, about 0830 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Apache Classic weight shift aircraft, N3880A, registered to a private individual, experienced an in-flight loss of control and impacted terrain shortly after takeoff from Willis Gliderport (FA44), Boynton Beach, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal, local flight from FA44. The aircraft was substantially damaged and the commercial certificated pilot sustained serious injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The pilot stated that he has no independent recollection of the accident.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector-in-charge (IIC), who went to the accident site, and spoke with several witnesses, reported that at the time of departure, the wind was from the south. The pilot departed using the west runway and after becoming airborne, the aircraft rolled to the right. The aircraft circled to the south of the airstrip, and impacted trees while descending. The airplane then impacted the edge of a canal located south of runway 9/27. The airplane came to rest on the airstrip property.

Examination of the weight shift aircraft by the FAA-IIC revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction. The FAA-IIC reported that the pilot was required to obtain 2 weeks of training specific to the make and model aircraft to be flown, but he admitted that he did not receive any instruction.

NTSB Probable Cause

The failure of the pilot to maintain control of the aircraft.