NTSB Factual Report

On October 13, 2003, at 1635 eastern daylight time, N4087F, a homebuilt VP 1, was substantially damaged when it impacted the ground during a forced landing after takeoff from the Cincinnati Municipal Airport - Lunken Field (LUK), Cincinnati, Ohio. The certificated commercial pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the test flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

According to air traffic control (ATC) transcripts provided by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the pilot contacted the ground controller at Lunken Field, and requested a "taxi to two one left ah possible takeoff or at least a long run." The pilot taxied to runway 21L and performed a run-up inspection in which he noted no abnormalities. He then contacted the tower controller and stated, "..ready for takeoff ah if i can make it i will be turning left eastbound."

The pilot reported that during the takeoff from runway 21L, the airplane "would not climb." As he approached the departure end of the runway, he performed a right turn to "set [the] airplane down inside [the] airport."

The pilot also reported to a FAA inspector, that the engine installed in the airplane was a 1200cc Volkswagen engine and was underpowered for the airplane, as it would not climb out of ground effect. The pilot stated that most other aircraft of this model use a 1600cc Volkswagen engine. He reported no mechanical problems with the airplane or engine prior to the accident.

A witness observed the airplane perform a ground roll on runway 21L for about 20 seconds, and then takeoff in a shallow climb. The airplane then appeared to fly level after reaching an altitude of no more than 50 feet. The pilot appeared to initiate a climb; however, the airplane settled back down to the runway. This sequence of climb attempts repeated about 12 times over a 2 minute period, and according to the witness, the airplane appeared "on the verge of a stall" as the nose came up. The airplane crossed the departure end of runway 21L at 30-40 feet, continued straight for another 200 yards, then went into a 15-20 degree right bank. The witness lost sight of the airplane behind trees; however he heard the airplane's power reduce to idle and then the sound of an impact. Until the reduction of power, the ending sounded like it was "running smooth and at full power."

Examination of the airplane by the FAA inspector revealed control continuity from the cockpit to the flight controls. Additionally, examination of the engine revealed no mechanical deficiencies. According to the inspector, the accident flight was the airplane's first flight of a 40-hour test period.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's delayed decision to abort the takeoff, which resulted in a collision with trees.