Sport 1000 N7013W accident near Little Falls, Minnesota

Probable cause

The uncertificated pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during takeoff, which resulted in an impact with terrain.

NTSB analysis

The uncertificated pilot stated that he replaced the wing and control surface skins of the airplane and planned to perform a test flight. He said that shortly after adding power, the airplane "jumped up" 15 ft off the ground and drifted away from the runway centerline. The pilot applied corrective control inputs to return the airplane back to runway centerline and then applied full engine power to initiate a go-around. About 100 ft agl, the airplane banked hard to the left. The pilot applied right aileron control input but was unable to reduce the bank. The airplane descended and impacted the ground about 200 yards from the end of the runway. The pilot stated that there were no engine-related mechanical anomalies. The flight controls were subject to impact damage; however, the damage was consistent with failures associated with overload due to ground impact and not a failure in flight.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN20CA177 for the full record.