ERA25LA116

On February 11, 2025, about 0635 eastern standard time, an experimental amateur-built Sparker, N769DM, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Asheboro, North Carolina. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported completing a normal preflight inspection and engine start. Shortly after departure the engine made an unusual sound, which was followed by a partial loss of power. The pilot reported feeling “an aggressive buck forward” which quickly became more severe. The pilot turned the airplane back to the airport and attempted to land in the opposite direction on the departure runway. The pilot tried to extend the airplane’s landing gear, but they did not fully extend and upon touchdown the landing gear collapsed. The airplane subsequently slid off the side of the runway and over a taxiway. Postaccident examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector found that the airplane had incurred substantial damage during the accident sequence and that the horizontal stabilizer had separated from the empennage. The airplane was retained for further examination.