NTSB Factual Report

On September 30, 2003 about 0845 Pacific daylight time, an experimental Wood Avid Magnum, N1214W, registered to and operated by the pilot as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, collided with a telephone power pole near Kooskia, Idaho. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft was substantially damaged and the commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was seriously injured. The flight originated from Grangeville, Idaho, about 15 minutes prior to the accident.

In a written statement, the pilot reported that he was attempting to land at his private airstrip. The airstrip is 700 feet long, with a gravel surface. The pilot reported that the first 400 feet of the airstrip is steeply graded at approximately 6-7%, with the remaining section of the landing surface nearly flat.

The pilot stated that two attempts at landing were made which resulted in "high bounces and reapplication of partial power to make a go around." The pilot reported that the third attempt resulted in a bounced landing which put the aircraft off the airstrip. Full power was applied and the pilot tried a severe banking maneuver to avoid a collision with the telephone pole. The left wing contacted the pole and its guy wire. The aircraft spun around backward with the tail contacting the surface first. The aircraft eventually came to rest inverted in a field that was approximately 30 feet to the left and 30 feet distant from the east end of the airstrip.

The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the aircraft at the time of the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing which led to a loss of control.