The pilot told investigators that he planned an off-airport landing on a dirt road near Cal-Nev-Ari, Nevada, in the Glasair Sportsman.
He performed a series of passes to confirm the road condition and decided to proceed with the landing. During the rollout, the dirt road elevation lowered with respect to the berms on either side, and the wings hit vegetation, which damaged the left wing.
The pilot and his passenger exited the airplane to inspect the damage and determined that the airplane was airworthy and able to fly to a nearby airport with only the pilot onboard.
The pilot stated that for the takeoff, near rotation speed, the left main wheel dropped into a rut of soft sand, the airplane veered left, the left wing hit a berm, and the airplane spun around and came to rest inverted.
Substantial damage was sustained to the wings and fuselage, while the pilot sustained serious injuries in the crash.
Witnesses reported that they saw the airplane climb before veering left and descending back to the ground.
Probable Cause: The pilot’s improper decision to takeoff with known damage to the wing and his failure to maintain directional control during takeoff on rough terrain.
NTSB Identification: 106758
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This February 2023 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
