Accident Details
A homebuilt aircraft crashed during its initial test flight. Before the flight, several personnel reported that engine problems had been experienced. Issues included problems with the mixture control system and engine overheating.
Witness Observations
One witness noted that the engine had stopped running twice while the pilot was taxiing to take off. Both times, the engine was restarted after many cranks or spins of the propeller. The same witness observed that while the pilot was waiting for another aircraft to depart, the engine was running at high RPM, presumably to keep it going.
After takeoff, the aircraft remained at low altitude, turned north, and then entered a wide turn to the south. Tower personnel noted the aircraft began descending, then entered a steep descent and disappeared behind trees. The aircraft subsequently impacted in a bay about 2 miles west of the airport.
Wreckage Examination
After the wreckage was retrieved, no apparent preimpact structural failure of the engine or accessories was found. However, soot and dark discoloration were found inside the engine compartment. A fire had occurred in that area about 1 year before the accident.