G2 Heritage (Glasair II) / G3 Heritage (Glasair III)
Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Flight Instructor
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 200; Flight Crew Total 16000
Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Ground Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control; Ground Excursion Runway
Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport
Aircraft; Human Factors; Procedure
Owner contacted me to evaluate the aircraft for future flight. The aircraft was looked over; fueled; new battery. After run up; I intended to high speed taxi aircraft on the runway to evaluate engine power. Upon the last taxi the aircraft lifted into the air unintentionally. The engine ran rough upon which I made a teardrop pattern and landed the aircraft; touching down on the grass median between the runway and taxi way. I got onto the runway; taxied to the end and back to the ramp. There was no damage to the airport property or the aircraft. The aircraft was taxied back to the ramp and tied down.
A pilot reported while conducting a high speed taxi for a maintenance check they accidentally became airborne and experienced a rough running engine. The pilot landed off the runway in the grass and but able to taxi back onto the runway.