Pilot Reported That He Was Unfamiliar With The Single Seat Amateur-Built Airplane And His Intent Was To Perform High-Speed Taxi Testing

Location: Ozark, Missouri Accident Number: CEN25LA062
Date & Time: December 15, 2024, 11:20 Local Registration: N556CF
Aircraft: Capella Aircraft Corp FW1C50 Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Miscellaneous/other Injuries: 1 Minor
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

Analysis: The pilot reported that he was unfamiliar with the single seat amateur-built airplane and his intent was to perform high-speed taxi testing of the airplane. He stated that he made a highspeed taxi to the south on runway 18 and then proceeded to make another high-speed taxi in the opposite direction on runway 36. During the high-speed taxi on runway 36, wind from the southeast picked up the left wing, the airplane inadvertently became airborne, and the airplane drifted to the right. The airplane was heading toward trees and the pilot applied full throttle to clear the trees but was unable to maintain control of the airplane. The airplane struck the ground, and the nose and right main landing gear separated. The right wing incurred substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operations.

Probable Cause and Findings: The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be -- The pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control during high-speed taxi.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov