NTSB Factual Report

On November 22, 2001, at 1040 central standard time, a Globe GC-1B tail-wheel equipped airplane, N3209K, was substantially damaged when it impacted a fence and a tree during takeoff from the Zuehl Airport, Marion, Texas. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot. The private pilot sustained minor injuries and the pilot-rated passenger received serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The flight was originating at the time of the accident and was destined for a private airstrip near Eagle Pass, Texas.

According to the pilot's written statement, he arrived at the airport, inspected the airplane, added 43 gallons of fuel, and sumped the fuel tanks twice. The pilot taxied to the end of the 3,000-foot grass runway and conducted an engine run-up by applying power to 1,700 rpm, checking the magnetos and carburetor heat, and cycling the propeller. The pilot completed the takeoff checklist and entered the runway for takeoff. As the airplane rolled down the runway, he noticed that the airplane was heading toward the left side of the runway. He applied right rudder to straighten the airplane. The pilot reported that the airplane traveled down the runway "a long way," and he checked that the throttle, propeller, and mixture controls were in the full forward position. The airspeed indicator read 65 mph, and the airplane felt "light on the wheels," so the pilot pulled back on the control stick. The airplane veered to the left toward a building and trees. The pilot added that he "may have stalled the [air]plane," since his passenger reported that the airplane had a "sharp, left wing drop stall." The airplane then impacted and continued through a chain link fence and impacted a tree, where it came to rest upright. The pilot "turned off all switches (fuel pump, master, ignition)" and exited the airplane. The airplane sustained structural damage to its fuselage and wings.

According to the pilot, the airplane had not flown in 1.5 years and had undergone an annual inspection on November 20, 2001. According to the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, the pilot had never flown this make and model aircraft before and had accumulated a total of 126.2 flight hours. The pilot reported that he had obtained his tail-wheel endorsement in a Citabria 7ECA aircraft on November 9, 2001.

Examination of the aircraft and engine by the FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, revealed no evidence of any anomalies.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's inadvertent stall during takeoff, which resulted in a loss of control and the airplane colliding with a fence and a tree. A contributing factor was his lack of experience in the make and model of aircraft.