Background
An antique airplane was purchased with the intention of flying it to California. The pilot, who had received very limited dual instruction and possessed minimal knowledge of the aircraft, attempted the ferry flight. The aircraft had a propeller installed that did not meet Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) specifications. Although a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) was available for that propeller, the maintenance logs did not document whether the propeller had been installed in compliance with the STC.
Flight Attempt
According to the pilot's account, during the six hours of experience gained in the aircraft, the maximum engine RPM achieved was 2,000. During the initial legs of the ferry flight from Morristown, Tennessee, numerous takeoff attempts were aborted because the aircraft failed to accelerate to the proper takeoff speed. Before the accident, two additional takeoff attempts on a 9,000-foot runway were aborted.
On the third try, the aircraft climbed to approximately 200 feet but could not maintain altitude. In an effort to clear a highway, the pilot raised the nose of the aircraft until it stalled. The airplane entered an uncontrolled descent and impacted the ground short of the road.
Outcome
The aircraft was destroyed upon impact. No further details about occupants or injuries are available from the source.