Amateur-built RANS S-6S N137AB accident near New Braunfels, Texas

Probable cause

The non-certificated pilot's loss of airplane control during takeoff.

NTSB analysis

Although the non-certificated pilot said that there was no intention for flight and that he was going to make a high-speed taxi, tape recordings from the air traffic control tower revealed that the pilot called the tower and said he was ready to taxi; he did not request a high-speed taxi. The controller gave the pilot instructions to runway 17 and to hold short of runway 13; the pilot then reported that he was holding short of runway 13. The controller instructed him to cross runway 13, and cleared the airplane for takeoff on runway 17. The pilot did not acknowledge this clearance but proceeded down runway 17. The controller observed the airplane become airborne momentarily before impacting terrain.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN12LA254 for the full record.