Summary
On July 2, 2011, about 1030 eastern daylight time, an experimental Sonex airplane, N6PX, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain following a loss of engine power after takeoff from the Tom B. David Airport in Calhoun, Georgia. The commercial pilot sustained fatal injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.
History of Flight
Three witnesses at the airport terminal observed the airplane taxi from the hangar area for a midfield intersection takeoff on runway 17. The engine runup sounded normal. The airplane rolled about 1,000 feet down the runway when witnesses heard a noticeable skip in engine power, but the engine regained full power almost instantly. The airplane rotated about 1,500 feet down the runway and began a climb that appeared normal. The airplane went out of sight, and two to three minutes later, witnesses saw black smoke just south of the runway and called 911.
A witness driving on a road just south of the departure end of runway 17 saw the airplane rocking back and forth just over power lines and thought the propeller was not turning. A resident living south of the road saw the airplane flying erratically for a few seconds before it nosed into the ground and erupted into flames.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The 84-year-old pilot was known as an extremely professional pilot who maintained his airplane meticulously. He flew regularly several times a week and had not reported any mechanical issues. His logbooks were not located, but friends estimated he had about 3,400 hours of flight time and about 100 hours in the accident airplane. He held single-engine and multi-engine land ratings; no recent medical certificate was on file.
N6PX was a Sonex 2-place kit plane assembled by a previous owner. The pilot had purchased it about two years prior. No aircraft records were located (presumed consumed by post-impact fire). Associates estimated total airframe time at about 350 hours. The airplane was powered by a Jabiru 3300, 6-cylinder, 120 HP engine. The last refueling time was unknown, but airport fuel tested normal. Vegetation blight at the site suggested fuel spray at impact.
Meteorological Information
Visual meteorological conditions prevailed with clear skies, no ceiling, temperature 24°C, and dew point 20°C. The calculated dew point depression of 4 was not within the range of carburetor ice probability for takeoff power during climbout.
Medical and Pathological Information
An autopsy conducted by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation found no preexisting conditions that could have contributed to the accident. Toxicology tests by the FAA Civil Aeronautics Medical Institute were negative for all substances. The results did not indicate any impairment or incapacitation.
Wreckage and Impact
The accident site was a small area in a sparsely vegetated field about 1 mile south of the departure end of runway 17. Power lines bordered a road nearby. The front cabin and engine were severely damaged by post-impact fire. Wing leading edges showed crushing consistent with a nose-low impact. Pilot logs and airplane records onboard were presumably consumed by fire.
Flight control continuity was established, but documentation was limited due to fire damage. All airframe and flight control sections were accounted for. The engine could not be thoroughly examined due to thermal damage, but the case and exhaust appeared intact. Spark plugs and carburetor showed only thermal damage. The two-bladed wooden propeller was consumed down to the blade roots. A memory chip from an onboard engine monitor was too damaged to extract data.