CEN15LA252

The private pilot reported that, during a high-speed taxi test, the amateur-built tailwheel-equipped airplane unexpectedly became airborne. He chose to continue flight rather than risk an overrun while attempting to stop on the remaining runway. When the airplane crossed trees while in the traffic pattern, it experienced a "loss of lift," and the pilot subsequently executed a landing in a field parallel to the runway. During the landing, the main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane then skidded to a stop. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane and that the airplane and engine performed as expected. Based on the available information, it is likely that the pilot allowed the airspeed to decrease, which increased the induced drag and led to the engine not having sufficient power to overcome the drag and climb the airplane.

On April 26, 2015, about 1000 central standard time, an amateur-built Murphy Rebel airplane, N193MW, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing after takeoff from runway 12 at the Livingston Municipal Airport, Livingston, Texas. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane's fuselage and right lower wing received damage. The aircraft was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was not operating on a flight plan. The local flight originated just prior to the accident. The pilot reported that during a high-speed taxi test on runway 12, the amateur-built airplane unexpectedly became airborne. He elected to continue flight rather than risk an overrun while attempting to stop on the remaining runway. He reported that the airplane and engine performed as expected, but he experienced a "loss of lift" while crossing trees northeast of the runway. The pilot applied forward stick and attempted to land in a field parallel to runway 30. The tailwheel equipped airplane's main landing gear collapsed during the landing and the airplane incurred substantial damage to the fuselage and right lower wing. The pilot report indicated that the airplane was powered by a converted Subaru E-81 automobile engine that could produce 105 horsepower. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions of the airplane.