Amateur-built F. 8L FALCO N532FD accident near Durango, Colorado

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane and the instructor's delayed remedial action.

NTSB analysis

**This report was modified on November 19, 2013. Please see the public docket for this accident to view the original report.**

The airplane was being flown by a private pilot, who stated that he had flown the airplane with the previous owner but had not conducted any takeoffs or landings, and a flight instructor who was providing dual instruction. The pilot lost directional control of the airplane during the takeoff ground run, and the airplane subsequently became airborne at too slow of an airspeed. The pilot reduced the power to land the airplane back on the runway. The instructor stated that he told the pilot to lower the nose and to watch the airspeed then took control of the airplane. The instructor lowered the nose, and the pilot increased the power. The instructor stated that the left wing dropped as the airspeed increased, but he was able to level the wings. The right wing then dropped "very quickly," and he was not able to recover. The airplane came to rest inverted in the grass alongside the runway. The fuselage, wings, firewall, and the empennage were substantially damaged.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN12CA442 for the full record.