NTSB Factual Report

On August 18, 2003, at 1430 eastern daylight time William Allen Moni-1, N240A an experimental airplane owned and operated by a commercial pilot collided with the ground shortly after takeoff from runway 6, at the Roxboro Person County Airport Timberlake, North Carolina. The personal flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The commercial pilot received serious injuries and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight originated from Timberlake, North Carolina, on August 18, 2003, at 1425.

In a written statement provided by the commercial pilot he stated "I remember nothing of the flight or accident; so I can provide no insight into the actual events of the accident".

According to a witness, the airplane took off from runway 6, and approximately 150 feet above the ground, the witness heard the engine power back and then advance in power. Approximately 500 feet past the departure end of the runway, the airplane banked steeply to the left. The witness stated he "could see the entire top of the airplane. Then the airplane turned nose down and spun about one rotation to the left and collided with the ground". According to the witness, he heard the engine running during the entire flight.

Examination of the downed airplane found it in a nose down attitude at the accident site. Wreckage debris was scattered in the immediate vicinity of the main wreckage. The inboard spars of both wings were damaged. The cowling had crush damage, and the cockpit plexiglass canopy was broken. The wooden propeller asembly was broken.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in a stall and subsequent collision with the ground.