N918KSMead Bob J RV-8A · 2004

On December 27, 2016, about 1230 central standard time, a Mead RV 8A experimental amateur-built airplane, N918KS, impacted terrain during takeoff at the Farmington Regional Airport (FAM), near Farmington, Missouri. The pilot was uninjured and his passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane sustained substantial wing damage. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which did not operate on a flight plan. The local flight was originating from FAM at the time of the accident.The pilot reported that engine starting was normal and that he had checked the weather during the taxi to runway 2. Normal indications were observed during the engine runup. He performed "takeoff checks" and taxied onto the runway. After adding full power, the indications were all normal during the takeoff roll. The airplane accelerated normally, the pilot rotated the airplane at 65 mph, and the airplane lifted off. The left wing came up immediately after takeoff. The pilot "assumed" it was from wind and some gust. He applied a correction to the left. However, the correction was "steep" and he applied another correction to get the airplane's wings level. The airplane was off the prepared runway surface and the pilot stated that the airplane was too low to correct back to the runway. The pilot reduced power to land on airport property. However, the terrain was rough and sloped downward during the landing. The left wing sustained substantial damage during the landing. The pilot indicated that there were no mechanical malfunctions associated with the airplane.

At 1256, the recorded weather at FAM was: Wind 340 at 9 knots; visibility 10 statute miles; sky condition clear; temperature 9 degrees C; dew point -6; altimeter 30.27 inches of mercury.

A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the wreckage. No anomalies were detected that could not be attributed to impact damage.