NTSB Factual Report

HISTORY OF FLIGHT

On July 27, 2003, about 1045 Pacific daylight time, an experimental Hogarty Lancair IV P, N499R, Had a loss of control during takeoff at North Las Vegas Airport (VGT), North Las Vegas, Nevada. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The commercial pilot sustained minor injuries, and 2 passengers were not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The personal cross-country flight departed at 1045 en route to Tracey, California. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan had been filed. The primary wreckage was at 36 degrees 12.40 minutes north latitude and 115 degrees 11.45 minutes west longitude.

The pilot reported that while departing from VGT on runway 30L, after rotation the airplane settled back on to the runway. He continued his attempted takeoff; the airplane again went airborne and started to drift to the right side of the runway. The airplane again settled to the ground, on contact with the runway the landing gear collapsed. The airplane skidded off the right side of the runway.

The pilot said he had been advised by the air traffic control prior to departure of possible wake turbulence, he thought he had waited about 1 minute before starting the takeoff. VGT tower told the pilot to ether takeoff or depart the runway.

The pilot submitted a Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2). The pilot stated that the airplane had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight.

Witnesses reported that when the airplane rotated it appeared to be in a 20-degree nose high attitude, and mushed down the runway. The aircraft obtained 15 to 25 feet in altitude, then the right wing started to drop until it impacted the ground. The landing gear collapsed as the airplane departed the runway.

PERSONNEL INFORMATION

A review of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airman records revealed the pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with an airplane single-engine land, multi-engine land, and instrument airplane ratings.

The pilot held a third class medical certificate that was issued on February 3, 2003. It had the limitations that the pilot must possess glasses for near vision.

The pilot reported an estimated total flight time of 3,221 hours. He logged 44 hours in the last 90 days, and 7 in the last 30 days. He had en estimated 50 hours in this make and model.

AIRCRAFT INFORMATION amateur built by the owner/pilot

The airplane was an experimental Hogarty Lancair IV, serial number 101. A review of the airplane's logbooks revealed a total airframe time of 50 hours at the time of the accident. The last inspection was a 25 hour and was completed on May 26, 2003.

The airplane had a Teledyne Continental Motors TSIO-550 engine, serial number 803027. Total time on the engine at the last 25 hour inspection was 25 hours.

METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS

The closest official weather observation station was North Las Vegas Airport (VGT), the location of the accident. The elevation of the weather observation station was 2,020 feet msl. A routine aviation weather report (METAR) for VGT was issued at 1053 PDT. It stated: skies clear; visibility 9 miles; winds from 200 degrees at 5 knots; temperature 97 degrees Fahrenheit; dew point 55 degrees Fahrenheit; altimeter 30.02 InHg.

AIRPORT INFORMATION

The Airport/ Facility Directory, Southwest U. S., indicated VGT runway 30L was 5,000 feet long and 75 feet wide. The runway surface was composed of asphalt.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's premature lift-off before airspeed was attained resulting in a stall. A factor associated with the accident was a high density altitude.