NTSB Factual Report

On July 21, 2001, at 1700 central daylight time, an amateur-built Anderson Revelation, N6116S, piloted by a commercial pilot, sustained substantial damage during an in-flight collision with the terrain following a loss of control during initial climb from runway 08 (2,280 feet by 175 feet, dry/turf) at the Wautoma Municipal Airport, Wautoma, Wisconsin. Visual metrological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The test flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 and was not on a flight plan. The pilot, the sole occupant, reported minor injuries. The local flight was departing at the time of the accident.

According to the pilot, the airplane was recently certified as an amateur-built aircraft and was departing on its second flight since certification. The pilot reported that during the first flight the engine tachometer was reading 1,000 rpm lower than the specified range. The pilot stated that subsequent to the first flight the propeller blade pitch was adjusted to a finer setting to achieve the desired static engine rpm.

According to the pilot, on the second flight, the airplane did not accelerate normally when out of ground effect and would not climb above approximately 30 feet. The pilot reported that there was not enough runway remaining to land and he started a shallow right turn to keep over the airport area. The pilot reported, "While maintaining 60 mph IAS [indicated airspeed] in a shallow bank, the wing stalled & I was unable to recover before impact with a corn field. The plane hit the ground with right wing about 30 [degrees] low and 20-30 [degrees] nose low."

No anomalies were found with the airframe or its engine that could be associated with any pre-impact condition.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed, resulting in a stall. An inadequate pitch setting of the propeller is a contributing factor.