NTSB Factual Report

On September 12, 2005, about 0800 Pacific daylight time, a Gleason Sky Star Kitfox amateur-built experimental airplane, N852PG, sustained substantial damage when it impacted the runway following a loss of control during the takeoff initial climb at Klamath Falls Airport, Klamath Falls, Oregon. The private pilot, the sole occupant and the builder of the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 local flight. The accident occurred as the flight was originating.

According to the pilot, he had completed the required number of initial solo flight hours following construction of the airplane, and he wanted to familiarize himself with the flight characteristics of the airplane when carrying additional weight before carrying a passenger. He placed a bag of cement in the right seat and used the lap and shoulder belts to secure the bag. He completed a "normal runup and control checks" and then performed a normal takeoff on runway 14. At an altitude of 20 to 30 feet, he "could not move flaperons." As he "applied more pressure stick moved abruptly to right." The airplane banked to the right, the pilot corrected, and the airplane banked to the left. He was unable to maintain control of the airplane, and the left wingtip contacted the runway. The airplane settled onto the runway, and the left main gear collapsed. When the pilot examined the airplane after the accident, he found scrape marks on the flaperon push pull tube that was routed below the front seat. He also noted that the "seat was lower than normal after crash."

NTSB Probable Cause

The binding of the flaperon push pull tube due to deformation of the front seat, which resulted in a loss of control on takeoff initial climb and collision with the runway.