Accident Overview
On July 24, 2008, at 0915 central daylight time, an experimental Marshall James J, Cozy MK IV, single-engine airplane (registration N500K) was substantially damaged when it collided with the wall of a rock quarry southwest of Midlothian, Texas. The pilot, who was the sole occupant and held an airline transport rating, was fatally injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot. No flight plan was filed for the local flight, which had departed Arlington Municipal Airport, Texas, at approximately 0700. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
Witness Accounts
An eyewitness located at the bottom of the 100-foot-deep rock quarry reported hearing the airplane's engine as it flew at high speed through the quarry approximately 20 to 30 feet above the floor before colliding with the wall and "exploding." A second witness stated that the airplane flew directly toward his large bulldozer on the far side of the one-mile-wide quarry. The witness estimated the airplane was about 30 feet above the quarry floor when he waved at it as it flew past. The airplane was observed to bank right away from the bulldozer and then nose up to avoid a large dirt pile. It subsequently struck the quarry wall about 20 feet above the floor. There was no post-crash fire.
Wreckage Examination
The wreckage field began inside the rock quarry and extended up the quarry wall, continuing into an adjacent field. The quarry was approximately 100 feet deep, with walls inclined about 23 degrees at the accident site. The debris field measured roughly 100 yards wide by 350 yards long. Most airplane components were heavily damaged and unidentifiable. The landing gear was found in the retracted position. Due to the extent of destruction, control continuity could not be established. One propeller blade was separated from the hub, another fractured about 7 inches from the hub, and the third fractured 3 to 4 inches from the hub; signatures were consistent with engine power at the time of impact.
Aircraft Information
The pilot applied for an experimental airworthiness certificate in July 2004, at which time a submitted weight and balance report indicated an acceptable range of 103.9 to 108.9 inches, with an empty weight of 1,378 pounds and a center of gravity (CG) of 117.87 inches. A review of the airframe logbook revealed that the airplane was weighed on February 28, 2008, with a reported empty weight of 1,506 pounds and a CG of 83.7 inches. The airplane was equipped with a 220-horsepower Franklin 6A-350-C1R engine and Infinity retractable gear. An A&P mechanic reported observing an airplane matching the accident airplane's description flying over his home in Ovilla, Texas, approximately 9 miles northeast of the accident, around 0715. The airplane appeared to be flying at 2,000 feet above ground level in straight and level flight, and the engine sounded fine.