NTSB Factual Report

On November 5, 2004, approximately 1500 central standard time, an amateur-built Wilson Loenslo YMF-80 tailwheel-equipped single-engine airplane, N6254A, was destroyed upon impact with terrain following a loss of control during initial takeoff climb from the Houston Southwest Airport (AXH), near Arcola, Texas. The private pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was seriously injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot/builder. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who responded to the accident site, reported that several witnesses located at AXH observed the airplane in a very pronounced nose-high climb attitude shortly after takeoff from runway 27 (5,003-foot long and 100-foot wide asphalt runway). At an approximately altitude of 500 feet above ground level (agl), the airplane was observed starting to spin in a clockwise rotation and descending behind a tree line. Subsequently, the airplane impacted terrain in a nose-low attitude approximately 1,000 feet beyond the departure end of the runway.

The FAA inspector stated that the airplane was initially built in 1999, and flown for approximately eight hours in 2000, by the 328-hour pilot, who was also the builder of the airplane. The airplane was disassembled in 2003, and transported to Arcola before being reassembled by the pilot. The accident flight was the first flight since the airplane was reassembled.

Examination of the wreckage of the airplane at the accident site by the FAA inspector confirmed that the airplane impacted soft ground in a nose-low attitude. The Subaru automotive engine was found partly embedded in the soft ground. All of the main components of the airframe were found within the main wreckage, and flight control continuity was established to all flight controls.

At 1453, the Automated Surface Observing System at the Sugar Land Regional Airport, near Sugar Land, Texas, located approximately 11 nautical miles northwest of the accident site reported variable wind at 5 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, sky condition clear, temperature 71 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 45 degrees Fahrenheit, and an altimeter setting of 30.25 inches of Mercury.

Despite several attempts by the investigator-in-charge, the pilot did not provide the Safety Board with a completed Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2).

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed sufficient for flight resulting in an inadvertent stall/spin during takeoff initial climb.