NTSB Factual Report

On March 31, 2002, approximately 1000 mountain standard time, a homebuilt Stadden Flybaby, N1432, registered to and being flown by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage when the aircraft collided with a fence during takeoff following a touch and go landing and then nosed over following ground impact at the Buhl Municipal airport (U03), Buhl, Idaho. The pilot suffered minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight, which was personal, was being operated under 14CFR91, and originated from Buhl approximately 0915.

The pilot reported that he had been doing touch and go landings at Buhl airport and that on the accident circuit he had applied carburetor heat on the downwind. After executing a normal landing, he applied full power to transition to takeoff on runway 09 however, the aircraft's 75 horsepower Continental engine did not respond to the performance level the pilot was accustomed to. The pilot was able to get the aircraft airborne, but the climb performance was inadequate and the aircraft began to veer right towards several hangars. Shortly thereafter, the aircraft clipped a fence on the south side of the airport, impacted the ground upright and then nosed over.

The pilot reported to the investigator that he forgot to turn off the carburetor heat during the landing roll and before the application of power, and that the carburetor heat had been left on throughout the duration of the takeoff attempt and ground impact.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to return the carburetor heat to the OFF (cold) position prior to applying full power following a touch and go landing, which resulted in poor climb performance and the subsequent impact with a fence and collision with the ground. A contributing factor was the fence.