NTSB Factual Report

On April 7, 2001, about 0855 eastern daylight time, an Arnet Pereyra Aventura II, N407EC, registered and operated by Arnet Pereyra, as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, crashed during climbout from Rockledge Airpark, Rockledge, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The private-rated pilot, the sole occupant aboard received serious injuries, and the aircraft incurred substantial damage. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The pilot stated that he had been asked by Arnet Pereyra, the manufacturer of the aircraft, to fly the accident aircraft to Lakeland, Florida for Sun-n-Fun. The pilot further stated that the takeoff had seemed normal, and at an altitude of about 75 feet he tried to retract the gear, and it moved half way and then stuck. The pilot said he tried several times with no luck, and then he made a slight left turn in order not to overrun the ultra light traffic, which had taken off ahead of him. He said he kept struggling with the gear, and had briefly looked between the seats at the gear to see if he could see an obstruction, and the only memory he had after that was looking straight down, while in a full stall. The pilot stated that other than the landing gear's failure to retract, the only other aircraft system malfunction had been the engine that he could not get to cease operating, through the use of the ignition switch. The pilot said that he had to use the primer to stop the engine from operating earlier.

According to a commercial-rated pilot who saw the accident, the aircraft was departing from the Rockledge Airpark, and it entered a steep bank, of about 60 degrees, while in a left turn. The pilot-rated witness further stated that the aircraft was at an altitude of less than 100 feet above ground level, and the engine sounded as if it was at full throttle. The witness said that just as it was over his head, the aircraft stalled, snap rolled to the left, and crashed nearly straight down. According to the witness, he ran to the crash site which was about 100 to 150 feet away, and was the first person on the scene, and the aircraft engine was still operating when he arrived.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during takeoff/initial climb, which resulted in an inadvertent stall, an uncontrolled descent, and collision with the ground. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's distraction with the landing gear system.