Primary finding
Probable cause
The student pilot's failure to maintain airplane control on takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and collision with terrain.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The student pilot reported that the airplane suddenly veered to the left during the takeoff roll and that he was unable to maintain control, even with full opposite rudder and aileron inputs. The airplane became momentarily airborne before it nosed down and impacted a field adjacent to the runway. The student pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Source record
Factual narrative
On April 5, 2012, at 1130 eastern daylight time, N75GX, a special light sport Remos GX, sustained substantial damage on takeoff from the Ann Arbor Municipal Airport (ARB), Ann Arbor, Michigan. The student pilot was seriously injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Gemini Aviation LLC, Flat Rock, Michigan. A visual flight rules flight plan was filed for the flight destined for Adrian, Lenawee County Airport (ADG), Adrian, Michigan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the solo cross country flight conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. In a written statement, the student pilot stated that during the take off roll on runway 06, the airplane suddenly veered "hard" to the left. He was unable to correct the turn with full right rudder and aileron. The student pilot said, "...The airplane just jumped up into the air and when it went up it continued to go to the left and then it came straight down." The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, the empennage, and the firewall. In addition, both the left main and nose landing gears had separated. The student pilot reported a total of 25.5 flight hours; all of which were in the accident airplane. He also said there were no pre-mishap mechanical failures. At 1135, weather reported at the airport was wind from 060 degrees at 12 knots gusting to 22 knots, visibility 10 miles, scattered clouds at 2,900 feet, temperature 6 degrees Celsius, dewpoint -2 degrees Celsius, and an altimeter setting of 30.05 inches of Mercury.