Primary finding
Probable cause
the pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during a low altitude turn after takeoff.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
According to the pilot, at 200 feet above ground level he made an initial climbing turn and his experimental homebuilt airplane snap-rolled. He indicated that he recovered from the roll, but had insufficient remaining altitude to avoid colliding with the underlying rough terrain.
Source record
Factual narrative
On April 5, 1996, at 0800 Pacific standard time, a Van Dyke GVD1, N94GV, was substantially damaged during takeoff from the Riego Flight Strip Airport, near Sacramento, California. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the personal flight. The private pilot, who built the experimental airplane, was not injured. According to the pilot, the flight was originating at the time of the accident. He reported that during an initial climbing turn, about 200 feet above ground level, his airplane snap rolled. He stated that he recovered from the roll, but had insufficient remaining altitude to prevent crashing into the underlying rough terrain. -