Accident Steen Skybolt N24EB, Tuesday 29 May 2012

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Date:	Tuesday 29 May 2012
Time:	18:15 LT
Type:	Steen Skybolt
Owner/operator:
Registration:	N24EB
MSN:	2
Total airframe hrs:	325 hours
Engine model:	Continental O-470
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	Stuttgart, Arkansas - United States of America
Phase:	Take off
Nature:	Private
Departure airport:	Stuttgart, AR (KPVT)
Destination airport:	Stuttgart Airport, AR (SGT/KSGT)
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
The pilot and a passenger departed in an experimental amateur-built airplane from a private airstrip with a higher-than-standard density altitude. The pilot was unable to maintain a positive rate of climb during the takeoff and turned back toward the airport. The airplane subsequently impacted rough terrain, and a postimpact ground fire occurred. Postaccident calculations revealed that the airplane's gross weight for the accident flight exceeded its maximum gross weight. The pilot reported no airplane mechanical malfunctions, and postaccident examination of the wreckage did not reveal any preimpact anomalies that would have precluded normal operations.

Probable Cause: The pilot's inadequate preflight planning, which resulted in the airplane's overweight takeoff from an airstrip with a high density altitude and subsequent collision with terrain.

Accident investigation: