N751WBZenith Aircraft STOL CH 750 · 2011

On June 28, 2011, approximately 0730 central daylight time, N751WB, a Wayne Baker CH-750 light sport airplane, was substantially damaged after a loss of control on take off and collision with trees at Gladewater Municipal Airport (07F), Gladewater, Texas. The private pilot/builder/owner sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.

According to the pilot, he had recently built the airplane and this was his first ever flight in it (including first time in make and model). On take off, as soon as the wheels broke ground, the airplane made a tight left turn. The pilot was unable to arrest the turn and bring the airplane back to a straight and level attitude, so he "pulled the power off" and the airplane collided with trees adjacent to the runway.

Inspectors with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) performed two postaccident examinations of the airplane. According to an inspector, the airplane came to rest partially inverted with the nose of the airplane resting on the ground and the remainder of the airplane hung up in the trees. Both wings and the fuselage were substantially damaged. The composite propeller was also damaged and the engine was pushed up into the cockpit area.

After the initial postaccident examination, the inspectors talked with the owner/builder of a similar make of airplane. The gentleman stated that the airplane would be left-wing heavy if the controls are rigged too tight. The inspectors then performed another examination of the accident airplane and were able to establish flight control continuity for the flaperons, elevator and rudder. However, due to impact damage, they found no evidence that the flight controls were not rigged properly. The cause of the loss of control could not be determined.