PLEASANT HILL, TN, USA
N12SK
KIRKPATRICK SUPER GT 400
THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING A TAKEOFF FROM HIS PRIVATE, SOD AIRSTRIP, WHICH WAS 600 FEET LONG. TREES BORDERED THE PERIMETER OF THE FIELD. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT AS THE REGISTERED ULTRALIGHT CLIMBED ABOVE THE TREE LINE, HEAVY CROSSWINDS BLEW THE AIRCRAFT DOWN TOWARD THE TREES. THE PILOT COULD NOT CONTROL THE AIRCRAFT, AND IT COLLIDED WITH THE TREES. THE PILOT DID NOT POSSESS AN AIRMAN CERTIFICATE, AND HAD LOGGED ABOUT 36 HOURS TOTAL FLYING TIME.
On April 15, 1995, at 1745 central daylight time, a Kirkpatrick Super GT 400, N12SK, collided with trees and terrain following an in flight loss of control at Pleasant Hill, Tennessee. The pilot had minor injuries, and the aircraft was substantially damaged. The homebuilt aircraft was operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the local, personal flight. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot reported he was performing a takeoff from his private, sod airstrip, 600 feet in length. He was taking off to the north, and the surface winds were out of the north. There were trees located at the north end of the airstrip. He waited for the wind to diminish, then he attempted the takeoff. As the aircraft climbed above the height of the trees, "heavy cross wind got me and blew me 180 degrees." The wind then blew the aircraft toward the trees. He pulled up on the elevator control, and the wind again blew the aircraft toward the trees. He was not able to pull out of the descent, and the aircraft collided with the trees at "full throttle." He estimated the wind speed to be about 15 miles per hour, with some gusts prevailing. The pilot's son witnessed the accident. He reported that the wind "blew him (the pilot) sideways in(to) the ground." The son assisted his father out of the aircraft, and reported that the engine was still running when he reached the accident site, although the wooden propeller blades were shattered. The pilot reported a total flying time of 36 hours, including 30 hours in this make and model. He did not possess any airman certificates, and did not possess a medical certificate.
THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB. FACTORS WERE THE CROSSWIND CONDITIONS, THE PERIMETER TREES, AND THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL FLYING EXPERIENCE.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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