Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 5; Flight Crew Total 800; Flight Crew Type 1
Communication Breakdown
Conflict Ground Conflict; Critical; Ground Event / Encounter Vehicle
Flight Crew Landed As Precaution; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors
The Breezy aircraft involved is a two place experimental tandem aircraft which qualifies as a Light Sport Aircraft. The engine is in a pusher configuration. The pilots sit forward of the wing leading edge with the seats approximately 2.5 inches above the ground. There is no cockpit enclosure. The purpose of the flight was familiarization and training. I was occupying the front seat and a CFI the rear seat. The weather at the time of the event was clear and winds were calm.I announced our intentions to taxi to the runway on UNICOM as we began our taxi. Prior to taxiing onto the runway I again announced our intentions; on UNICOM; to take off on the runway and remain in left closed traffic. There was no response to either of my transmissions. After a takeoff roll of about 1;000 FT the aircraft broke ground.After liftoff at approximately 20 AGL I saw a vehicle and two individuals on the runway approximately 2;000 FT ahead. They were not visible from the takeoff end of the runway probably due to the configuration of our aircraft. The CFI took control and landed the aircraft. We rolled to a stop about 50 FT from the vehicle.
A student pilot and his instructor took of in their Light Sport Aircraft and sighted a vehicle and two people on the runway and potentially at risk. The instructor pilot took control of the aircraft and landed; rolling to a stop some 50 FT before reaching the obstacles.