History of Flight
On June 27, 2009, at 0914 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Steen Sky Bolt, registration N233VW, was substantially damaged when it impacted power lines during takeoff from Darr Field (NC03), High Point, North Carolina. The pilot was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
According to an FAA inspector, the pilot had originally departed from Hiatt Airport (N97), Thomasville, North Carolina, and intended to practice landings at NC03. The accident flight was the pilot’s second flight in the airplane; his first flight was two days prior.
Witnesses reported that the airplane was conducting touch-and-go landings on runway 13. During the last landing, the airplane landed long, and during the subsequent takeoff climb, it struck power lines beyond the departure end of the runway. One witness observed the airplane attempt a turn, and its left main landing gear caught the power lines. The airplane then cartwheeled, impacted the ground, and caught fire. Witnesses also stated the engine was running normally throughout the accident sequence.
Personnel Information
The pilot held a private pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land and instrument airplane. His most recent FAA third-class medical certificate was issued on January 25, 2008, at which time he reported 640 hours of total flight experience. No pilot logbooks were located during the investigation.
Aircraft Information
The Steen Sky Bolt was a single-engine airplane powered by a Continental IO-470 engine. According to FAA airworthiness records, the airplane’s original airworthiness certificate was issued in 1990, and it was built by the previous owner. The accident pilot purchased the airplane on January 27, 2007, and registered it with the FAA on May 10, 2007. The airplane's logbooks were not recovered.
Meteorological Information
Weather reported at Piedmont/Triad International Airport (GSO), Greensboro, North Carolina, 12 miles north of the accident site, at 0854 included winds from 220 degrees at 3 knots, 10 miles visibility, clear skies, temperature 27°C, dew point 21°C, and altimeter setting 29.86 inches of mercury. Recorded astronomical data indicated the sun was at an angle of 46.5 degrees from the horizon and 93.3 degrees east of north at the time and location of the accident.
Airport Information
Darr Field was a privately owned airport with one turf and gravel runway oriented 13/31, 2,365 feet long and 60 feet wide. A review of satellite imagery revealed power lines located about 110 yards beyond the departure end of runway 13, oriented perpendicular to the runway. According to the FAA inspector who visited the site, the power lines were 34 feet tall and unmarked.
Wreckage and Impact Information
Examination of the wreckage by the FAA inspector revealed substantial damage to the wings and fuselage from impact and postcrash fire. Flight control continuity was confirmed, and propeller signatures were consistent with engine operation at impact.
Medical and Pathological Information
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services performed an autopsy on June 28, 2009. The cause of death was listed as blunt trauma of the head, carbon monoxide toxicity, and thermal burns. Toxicology testing detected amlodipine in the pilot’s urine and blood, and 0.027 µg/ml zolpidem in the pilot’s blood. Zolpidem is a prescription sleep aid known as Ambien; amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker used for hypertension. The pilot’s most recent medical certificate application, dated January 15, 2008, noted rare use of fexofenadine for allergies, enalapril for high blood pressure, atorvastatin for cholesterol, and rare use of famotidine for dyspepsia. The pilot did not report use of zolpidem or amlodipine. The application listed height 72 inches and weight 189 lbs, with distant visual acuity corrected to 20/15 in each eye and both eyes, and a requirement to wear corrective lenses. The FAA inspector could not determine if the pilot was wearing glasses at the time of the accident due to the severe postcrash fire.