Bruce E Hotz WIND WAGON N9017M

Summary

On 19 March 2007 at about 14:55 local time, a Bruce E Hotz WIND WAGON registered N9017M was involved in an accident near Leesburg, Florida, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

19 March 2007 at 14:55

Classification

Accident

Location

Leesburg, Florida, United States

Nearest airport

Leesburg International Airport (KLEE)

Coordinates

28.8228, -81.8092

Aircraft

Bruce E Hotz WIND WAGON

Registration

N9017M

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Flight Test

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Leesburg → Leesburg

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

MIA07CA061

1 person had minor injuries.

The failure of the pilot to abort the takeoff after recognizing that the engine rpm was 760 less than desired after becoming airborne, and the inability of the airplane to maintain a positive rate of climb resulting in a controlled descent, and in-flight collision with a concrete blast type fence. A factor in the accident was the in-flight encounter with turbulence.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The installed engine/propeller combination did not produce the intended rpm after becoming airborne during the flight test flight, but the pilot continued the takeoff. During the initial climb when approximately 3/4 down the runway, the flight encountered turbulence, and coupled with reduced performance, resulted in failure to maintain a positive rate of climb. The pilot lowered the nose of the airplane in an effort to avoid a stall but the airplane collided with a concrete berm near the departure end of the runway. The airplane then impacted the ground adjacent to a 4-lane highway, and the airplane and a vehicle on the road collided. The pilot reported there was no preimpact mechanical failure or malfunction of the engine, flight controls, or systems.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.