ATL03LA043

According to the pilot, shortly after takeoff he made a steep left turn to avoid other aircraft in the immediate area. The pilot stated, "he allowed the airplane to get slow and stall". The pilot estimated that he was approximately 100 feet above ground level in a steep left turn. Subsequently the airplane collided with the ground in a nose low attitude. The on scene examination of the airplane found no binding crimping or any other restriction to flight control movement aft of the cockpit.

On February 9, 2003, at 1130 central standard time, an Allan J. Penska Rans S-9 experimental airplane, N34AP, registered to and operated by the commercial pilot, collided with the ground in the back yard of a private residence shortly after takeoff in Dothan, Alabama. The personal flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot received serious injuries, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The local flight originated from a local residence backyard in Gordon, Alabama, at 1128 on February 9, 2003.

According to the pilot, the experimental airplane took off from the backyard of a private residence and climbed to 400 feet. Shortly after takeoff the pilot made a steep left turn to avoid other aircraft in the immediate area. In a written statement, the pilot stated the elevator control of the airplane failed and the airplane headed toward the ground.

The airplane collided with the ground in a nose low attitude in a field approximately 1/4 mile from the departure point. During a subsequent conversation, the pilot stated that "he allowed the airplane to get slow and stall". The pilot estimated that he was approximately 100 feet above ground level at 60 mph in a steep left turn.

Examination of the airplane revealed that the left wing was separated from the fuselage. The on-scene examination of the airplane found no binding, crimping or any other restriction to flight control movement aft of the cockpit.