Accident Overview
On July 30, 2015, at 1941 central daylight time, an experimental amateur-built O'Dell Aeromaster, registration N55J, experienced a total loss of engine power during climb after takeoff from runway 1 at Sulphur Springs Municipal Airport (SLR), Sulphur Springs, Texas. The airplane was destroyed by impact forces and post-crash fire. The private pilot sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was recently purchased by the pilot but remained registered to the previous owner. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 as a personal flight without a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.
Witness Observations
Witnesses reported that the pilot taxied to the runway and took off without performing a preflight inspection or engine run-up. The engine ran smoothly until the aircraft reached approximately 200 feet above ground level, at which point it backfired and lost power. The pilot maintained a nose-up attitude and turned left, causing the left wing to stall. The airplane entered a half-turn stall-spin to the left and impacted the ground left wing and nose first.
Previous Owner's Account
The previous owner, from whom the pilot purchased the airplane about two weeks prior in Lufkin, Texas, stated that he explained the airplane's sensitive engine mixture controls and warned the pilot never to lean the mixture on takeoff or below 3,000 feet mean sea level (msl). The previous owner noted that the pilot appeared distracted and did not seem to heed these instructions. The pilot mentioned that he was accustomed to leaning the mixture on takeoff in other aircraft, but the previous owner clarified that Lufkin, at about 450 feet msl, differed from higher elevations the pilot had flown.
During a one-hour familiarization flight, the pilot leaned the mixture on takeoff, causing the engine to quit. The previous owner returned the mixture to full rich, and the engine restarted. Later in the flight, the pilot again leaned the mixture below 3,000 feet msl, causing rough engine operation, which was corrected by the previous owner. The previous owner stated that the pilot seemed anxious and in a hurry to leave, did not carry aviation sectional charts, did not preflight the aircraft, did not check weather, and did not file a flight plan for his departure from Lufkin.
Maintenance Findings
On July 18, 2015, an aircraft mechanic at SLR examined the airplane and engine, documenting numerous discrepancies including: both airspeed indicators read 50 mph while static; a leaking gascolator; exhaust leak at cylinder 1; no emergency locator transmitter; no fuel shutoff on the top fuel tank; no fuel quantity indicators; no master switch or circuit breakers; a reverse-installed brake piston causing a leak; broken aileron trailing edges; loose flying and landing wires; missing javelins on wires; a missing battery master switch with electrical power always on; a faulty starter switch; missing required "EXPERIMENTAL" placard; a makeshift throttle shaft bushing made from clothesline rope; undersized and improperly installed safety wire; undersized cotter pins; worn landing gear bungees; a broken right lower wing rib; three different types of spark plugs, all worn and oil-fouled; a finger-tight lower spark plug on cylinder 5; engine oil five quarts low; missing cowling hardware; aluminum instead of steel fuel line fittings; hydraulic hoses used for fuel lines; and a backwards-installed carburetor.
The mechanic refused to annual the aircraft, stating it needed a complete dismantle and rebuild. Two other certificated mechanics and two experienced aircraft builders also deemed the airplane unsafe. The mechanic repaired the brake leak, replaced all spark plugs, serviced the oil, and ran the engine, which started easily and ran smoothly.
Pre-Accident Events
On July 30, 2015, the pilot added 19.7 gallons of fuel to the top tank and asked the mechanic to fly with him. The mechanic refused and again advised against flying the aircraft. Impact forces and post-crash fire prevented functional testing of the airplane, engine, and accessories.