Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain flying speed. A factor was the pilot's lack of familiarity with the aircraft.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The private pilot was performing his first takeoff in this airplane. He rotated early and over rotated due to the neutral stick position being farther forward than expected. The airplane stalled and subsequently collided with the ground.
Source record
Factual narrative
On August 11, 1995, at 1845 eastern daylight time, a Yothment Kolb-Firestar II, N94SY, collided with the ground during takeoff from the Gwinnett County Airport, Lawrenceville, Georgia. The personal flight operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The private pilot was not injured and the airplane received substantial damage. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to the pilot, since this was his first flight in N94SY, he was not familiar with the aircraft characteristics, and did not apply enough forward stick for the takeoff. As the aircraft climbed, the nose pitched up, and the airplane stalled. No mechanical problems with the airplane were reported. -