Probable cause
The pilot did not maintain directional control of the airplane during the takeoff roll.
NTSB analysis
The airplane veered off the left side of the runway during takeoff and struck an elevated runway light located 600 feet from the end of the runway. The airplane traveled over a shallow grass slope, impacted the hangar door nose first, and embedded itself into the hangar. Both wings separated from the fuselage. The pilot, who was seriously injured, could not recall the events of the accident. A postaccident examination of the airframe revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR12LA122 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Mar 4, 2012
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Fallbrook, California
- Nearest airport
- Fallbrook Community Airpark (KL18)
- Highest injury
- Serious
- Serious injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Amateur-built 1-A
- N-number
- N41017
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.