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WPR22LA006

2021-10-10 · Camarillo, California, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport CMA

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during takeoff

Factual narrative

The pilot of an amateur built, tail wheel equipped airplane reported that, during takeoff for the airplane’s first test flight, the airplane lifted off the runway prematurely and unexpectedly. The pilot lowered the nose then over corrected when he tried to flare to stop the descent, however the airplane ballooned up. The pilot reduced engine power to abort the takeoff as the airplane drifted left off the runway and subsequently collided with a taxiway sign. The main landing gear collapsed and both wings were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • — Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot
  • — Personnel issues-Action/decision-Info processing/decision-Decision making/judgment-Pilot
  • — Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Sign/marker-Effect on equipment

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2021_WPR22LA006.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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