20220826021529A

PIC indicated he was taking the aircraft for a flight check after maintenance. The aircraft had not flown for several years, it had just undergone a condition inspection. During the course of this condition inspection, all of the fuel lines and filters were replaced. PIC filled the aircraft with 91 octane ethanol free gasoline from a local gas station just prior to the flight. Tanks were at a quarter tank in each.

PIC performed a high-speed taxi in ground effect down the runway with no issues. He exited the runaway and went around to takeoff. He set brakes ran the aircraft up for a short field takeoff, aircraft RPM was approximately 5000. Witness and independent video indicate an altitude of 75-150 ft AGL was achieved. At mid field the engine began losing power. The RPM steadily decreased engine was at approximately 15% power by the end of the runway. PIC enacted a left-hand turn to attempt to make it back to the taxiway and land on the taxiway. The aircraft experienced a stall during the left-hand turn. PIC nosed the aircraft over to recover and about the time wings rolled level and the nose pitched up, the aircraft struck the ground. The ground impact marks show a hard landing with the aircraft hitting hard about 40 feet later, it appears the aircraft nose gear buckled when the aircraft nosed over. Ground scars show the point of propeller impact. The propeller shows evidence that it was still under power and the composite prop fragmented into multiple pieces. The aircraft came to rest upside down approximately 130 feet from the initial impact point.

The pilot indicated his instrument indicated oil temperature was 200 water temperature was 200 oil pressure was good. Inspection of the fuel tank indicators indicated the tanks were empty, the fuel cap for one of the tanks was found lying on the ground approximately 10 feet from the aircraft. The empty tanks is likely due to the aircraft sitting upside down for 16 hours prior to inspection. There was an odor of fuel in the aircraft. The filters showed evidence of residual fuel in them.

The PIC reported that he left the mixture control in the full rich position. This was done out of an abundance of caution, due to the control mechanism being reversed from typical design. He indicated he was fearful human factors would affect his ability to properly set the mixture. The pilot reported a density altitude of 4300.

The airport manager has a video of the accident. The video shows a clear view of the last quarter of the runway, the road and some of the field beyond. The video depicts the following: you can see the aircraft with a nose high attitude approach the end of the runway at approximately 150" AGL. The aircraft wings roll right slightly then to the left. The aircraft appears to stall with the left wing dipping and the aircraft taking a nose down attitude. Just prior to impacting the ground the wings roll level and the nose begins to rise. The impact attitude was level, however the rate of descent was significant. The aircraft strikes the ground and flips over, the pilot can be seen walking around the aircraft almost immediately after impact.