Amateur-built TINKER BELL N62431 accident near La Porte, Texas

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during takeoff, which resulted in a collision with terrain.

NTSB analysis

Several days before the accident, a witness observed the airplane during takeoff while it was about 20 feet above ground level (agl). The airplane appeared to be attempting to climb but remained at a low altitude. The airplane cleared the trees at the edge of the airport and the witness eventually lost sight of it. On the day of the accident, other witnesses observed the airplane at approximately 100 to 200 feet agl during its takeoff. The airplane did not appear to be climbing and the engine was still running when the airplane began to descend, maintaining a nose up attitude all the way to impact. The airplane came to rest upright, with crush damage to the fuselage. The engine and both wings were partially separated. The pilot did not hold a pilot certificate and the airplane had never been issued an airworthiness certificate.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN09LA445 for the full record.