NTSB Factual Report

On June 12, 2009, about 2000 mountain daylight time, an amateur built Wermling KR-2 Rand Robinson experimental airplane, N40908, was substantially damaged when it impacted the ground following a loss of control during takeoff initial climb. The non certificated pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was seriously injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The pilot reported in a telephone interview that a person who frequently visited the airport identified himself to the pilot as an instructor and was willing to teach the pilot how to fly. The pilot stated that the instructor offered to take him for a local instructional flight. During the takeoff roll, as the tail of the airplane lifted off the runway, the airplane "suddenly took off and went straight up." The pilot stated that the instructor pushed forward on the stick approximately 50 feet off of the ground. The airplane subsequently rolled to the left and impacted the ground in a nose low attitude.

The pilot further stated that he was unconscious for an unknown amount of time following the accident. Upon regaining consciousness, he verified with the instructor, who "was out of the airplane and walking around," that they were both okay. The pilot stated that the instructor told him that he was going to get help, but never returned to the accident site. The pilot extracted himself from the wreckage, and due to his injuries crawled about 1,500 feet from the airplane where he was found by a local pilot the next morning. The pilot further reported that he knew the instructor only by his first name and believed he was not from the local area.

Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the airplane came to rest in an upright attitude about 45 feet left of runway 16 and about 2,000 feet from the approach end of the runway. The engine and forward part of the fuselage were crushed aft. Leading edge crushing and deformation was observed throughout the span of the left and right wings. Flight control continuity was established from the cockpit controls to all primary flight control surfaces. The left seatbelt and shoulder harness were found unlatched. The right seatbelt and shoulder harnesses were found securely fastened and tightened down to the seat cushion. The FAA inspector reported that the right seat and surrounding area was intact and exhibited no evidence of a person sitting in the right seat at the time of the accident.

According to local law enforcement personnel, there were no reported local hospital admissions by a person being involved in an aircraft accident other than the pilot. A completed Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1) was not received from the pilot.

The automated weather observation system located at Butte, Montana, about 19 miles east of the accident site, reported at 1953; wind from 200 degrees at 16 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, temperature 17 degrees Celsius, dew point 6 degrees Celsius, and an altimeter setting of 30.00 inches of Mercury.

NTSB Probable Cause

The non-certificated pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed and aircraft control during initial climb resulting in a stall/spin.