Event LAX86FUJ06

Factual narrative

THE PLT REPORTED THAT PERSONS OVER 5 FT 9 IN TALL EXPERIENCE LIMITED RIGHT AILERON CONTROL AUTHORITY DUE TO THE SMALL COCKPIT OF THE HOMEBUILT EXPERIMENTAL ACFT, WHICH IS USED EXCLUSIVELY FOR AIR RACING. THE PLT SAID THE RIGHT KNEE OF TALL PERSONS LIMITS THE CONTROL STICK MOVEMENT TO 'ABOUT 2/5THS OF THE AVAILABLE TRAVEL.' THE ACFT HAS NO ELEC SYSTEM & MUST BE FLOWN X-COUNTRY WITH ANOTHER ACFT FOR COM & NAV CAPABILITY. THE ACFT WAS BEING ESCORTED BY A HARVARD MK VII ACFT. THE PLT SAID HE DEPARTED IMMEDIATELY BEHIND THE HARVARD & ENCOUNTERED 'THE WING VORTEX' FROM IT, WHICH ROLLED THE AIRCRAFT TO THE LEFT AT AN ALT OF 6 FT AGL. THE PILOT SAID THAT WITH THE LIMITED RIGHT AILERON AUTHORITY, HE COULD NOT ARREST THE ROLL RATE PRIOR TO REACHING THE INVERTED POSITION. THE PILOT SAID HE THEN LANDED THE AIRCRAFT 'STRAIGHT AHEAD AS GENTLY AS POSSIBLE.' Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12