NTSB Factual Report

The pilot/part owner of the airplane decided to go fly with a pilot friend The preflight inspection and preflight ground run up check went unremarkable. The pilot elected to let the friend fly the airplane. The pilot flying stated that they departed with a short field technique climbing up to 150 feet above ground level (agl). He pushed forward on the flight control stick to lower the nose to a straight and level flight attitude. The airplane began to sink upon completion of the pushover maneuver. He pushed the control stick forward to gain airspeed; throttle at full engine power. The left wing dipped followed by the ring wing, which dropped off sharply. He applied full left rudder and full left aileron, the right wing started to recover; however, there was insufficient altitude and the airplane impacted the ground. Ground witnesses stated that they observe the airplane takeoff and climb in about a 45 degrees nose high attitude. As it gained altitude it struggled to gain airspeed. At its highest point of the climb, about 100 feet agl, the wings dipped to the right and then left; wobbling. The airplane began to nose down toward the right in a steep angle. The wings wobbled again. The nose of the airplane started to rise just before the right wing tip contacted the ground. The airplane then spun 180 degrees coming to a full stop on its right side.

NTSB Probable Cause

The failure of the pilot to maintain airspeed during the initial climb after takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.