NTSB Factual Report

On October 11, 2006, about 1830 eastern daylight time, an experimental homebuilt, Olree Robert, Spezio Sport DAL-1, N777WH, registered to and operated by a private individual, as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, impacted with trees during landing at the Hidden River Airport, Sarasota, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The private-rated pilot reported no injuries and the airplane incurred substantial damage. The flight originated from the same airport, earlier that day, about 1815.

The pilot stated that he was conducting high speed taxi runs for a functional check of the rudder and tail wheel after replacement of a component. On one of the runs, the airplane lifted off and drifted to the right at which point he elected to fly the airplane in the pattern and land. During his first attempt to land the sink rate was more than what he had expected and he elected to perform a go-around. During the second approach he let the airplane get too slow in a nose high attitude. The airplane stalled. He lost control of the airplane; the right wing impacted a tree and clipped a steel gate, separating the landing gear before slamming down on the pavement. The airplane then slid on the pavement into a gate before stopping. The pilot stated there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions to the airplane or any of its systems prior to the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed, resulting in an inadvertent stall / mush and impact with objects (a tree and a fence) before ground impact.