Amateur-built Pixie N872UE accident near Sterling, Colorado

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain control during the takeoff with strong gusty surface wind.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that he had just purchased the airplane. During the second takeoff the airplane encountered a “violent variable wind gust”; the left wing rose unexpectedly, and the airplane stalled. The pilot reported that there was not enough altitude to recover and the airplane impacted the ground, which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. At the time of takeoff, wind was reported as 250° at 23 knots, gusting to 30 knots.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN23LA013 for the full record.