FALCON, CO, USA
N34VV
GALBREATH VARIVIGGEN
THIS WAS THE MAIDEN FLT FOR THIS NEWLY COMPLETED HOMEBUILT. IT WAS ALSO THE FIRST FLT IN THIS MAKE/MDL FOR THE PLT. A WITNESS REPORTED THAT THE ACFT WENT THROUGH SEVERAL RADICAL PITCH CHANGES IMMEDIATELY AFTER LIFT OFF BEFORE NOSE DIVING INTO THE GROUND NEAR THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RWY. ACCORDING TO THE DESIGNER OF THE ACFT, THE REAR MOUNTED ENG RESULTS IN A NOSE DOWN TENDENCY DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL AND THE STICK MUST BE HELD AFT. AFTER THE ACFT BECOMES AIRBORNE AND BEGINS TO ACCELERATE THE STICK FORCES BECOME NORMAL. HE SAID THE COMPANY ENCOURAGES PLTS TO TAKE AN ORIENTATION RIDE WITH SOMEONE FAMILIAR WITH THE ACFT PRIOR TO THEIR FIRST FLT. THE PLT IN THIS CASE HAD NOT HAD AN ORIENTATION RIDE.
THE PILOT'S LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE CONTROL CHARACTERISTICS OF THIS NEWLY COMPLETED HOMEBUILT. THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO USE PROPER CONTROL INPUTS AND THE LACK OF INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE AIRCRAFT KIT MANUFACTURER ARE CONSIDERED AS CONTRIBUTING FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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