Accident Summary
On August 14, 2015, at approximately 1110 eastern daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built Zenith CH750, registration N1750Z, sustained substantial damage when it struck trees and terrain shortly after takeoff from Queen City Airport (XLL), Allentown, Pennsylvania. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.
Pilot Report
According to the pilot, after takeoff from runway 25, the engine experienced a partial power loss when the airplane was about 100 feet above ground level. The pilot stated that the engine would not keep the airplane flying. He attempted to return to runway 7, but the airplane impacted trees and a creek bed, resulting in substantial damage to the airframe.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The pilot held a private pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single-engine land. He reported 328 hours of total flight experience. The aircraft's airworthiness certificate was issued in 2012, and the airframe had accumulated 75 total flight hours at the time of the accident.
Wreckage Examination
A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the wreckage at the scene. The airplane was found submerged, nose down, in about 2 feet of water. Approximately 10 gallons of fuel were recovered from the airplane's fuel tanks. The inspector observed that the number 1 spark plug was missing from the cylinder head but remained attached to the ignition lead. The pilot's son took several photographs of the spark plug, ignition lead, and cylinder head. He confirmed that the threads in the cylinder head were stripped, while the threads on the spark plug appeared to be in good condition.