NTSB Factual Report

On July 6, 2001, at 1940 eastern daylight time, a homebuilt Sonerai II, N79TG, was substantially damaged during an aborted take-off from Allen Airport (8OI3), Cortland, Ohio. The certificated airline transport pilot sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

The pilot purchased the airplane from a private owner, and had it stored at his residence for 2 1/2 years. This was his first flight in the airplane. In a written statement, he said:

"Last Thursday we took the airplane to the airfield for my initial flight. On Friday we felt the plane was ready so I started the plane out onto the runway. I drove down the runway a few times to get the feel for the plane. I decided to try to take off. As I got about 15 feet up, the plane lost its climb rate. I felt I was not going to be able to clear the tree line at the end of the runway, so I decided to try and land into the brush. As I entered the brush the wing hit a stump and flipped the plane over."

In a telephone conversation, the pilot stated that he taxied to the end of the west runway. At the end, he turned the airplane 180 degrees around and simultaneously applied power to overcome the uphill slope, and began the take-off roll. Halfway down the runway, the tail wheel came off the ground and the airplane became airborne. The pilot said he did not look at the airspeed indicator when the airplane rotated off the runway.

Once airborne, the airplane would not accelerate, and the pilot stated that the airspeed indicator read 60 knots. He reported that the manufacturer's recommended airspeed was 75 knots on climb-out. The pilot felt that he would not clear the trees, and elected to abort the take-off.

An Ohio State Highway Patrol officer asked the pilot why the airplane lost the climb rate. The pilot responded:

"I think it needs a longer runway or a paved runway so more speed can be gained for take-off."

The pilot's brother was at the airfield and observed the airplane take-off. In a written statement, he said:

"I was standing on the field observing the plane take-off westbound. He seemed to have difficulty climbing and tried to land the plane. While trying to land, he came down too fast and lost control, which caused him to turn to the right. He struck some high grass, which caused the plane to flip."

The pilot's brother also videotaped the airplane's take-off. Review of the videotape revealed that the airplane back-taxied to the end of the runway, and turned around 180 degrees in preparation for take-off. Shortly after, the propeller speed appeared to increase, and the airplane began its take-off roll. When the airplane became airborne, it flew just above the runway surface. The airplane then bounced on the main wheels, pitched up and began to climb. The airplane got about 10-15 feet above the ground, before it descended and landed off the right side of the runway. The airplane negotiated through a section of high grass, before it maneuvered back onto the runway. The airplane then went out of view and the tape stopped.

However, after rescue personnel arrived, the pilot's brother began taping the recovery. This portion of the tape revealed that the airplane came to rest inverted in an area of high grass off to the right side of the runway.

The turf runway was 2,700 feet long, 120 feet wide, and aligned east and west.

A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the airplane on July 9, 2001. According to the inspector, the fuselage exhibited gashes on the bottom and sides of the cockpit, both main gears were buckled and twisted, and the right wing tip and leading edge had holes through the skin. The wooden propeller was also found severed.

The pilot reported a total of 2,456 flight hours, and no flight time in make and model. He also reported that there were no mechanical deficiencies.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during an aborted take-off. A factor was the pilot's failure to obtain adequate take-off speed.