History of Flight
On August 27, 2015, about 2017 eastern daylight time, a homebuilt One Easy airplane, N227TB, impacted terrain at W K Kellogg Airport (KBTL), Battle Creek, Michigan. The airplane was destroyed and the private rated pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Gospelnet, Inc., under 14 CFR Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The flight was originating from KBTL.
The pilot had flown into KBTL earlier that day; witnesses reported oil on the back of the airplane. The pilot wiped it off and mentioned he had not tightened the engine oil cap. For the evening departure, the tower controller cleared the pilot to taxi to runway 23R. While exiting the FBO ramp, a business jet entered; the accident pilot moved aside, then taxied toward the runway. Shortly after, the controller cleared the airplane for takeoff. The controller reported that the airplane "wandered" on the runway and did not track straight, then flew erratically after takeoff. The airplane made a 180-degree turn back down runway 5L, then another 180-degree turn toward runway 23R, during which it executed a sudden nosedive and impacted the ground.
An FBO employee watching the departure noted the airplane "bouncing" back and forth, with wings rocking, and the canopy open, the pilot visible without glass overhead. The airport's security cameras and a phone video recorded portions of the sequence; the phone video showed the canopy bouncing up to two inches open during taxi.
Aircraft Information
The airplane was a Barrow One Easy, powered by a rear-mounted Continental O-200 reciprocating engine rated at 100 horsepower, driving a fixed-pitch composite propeller. It was built from plans and is typically known as the Rutan Varieze, with two seats in tandem, canard configuration, and composite construction. It received its Special Airworthiness Certificate in the amateur-built category in November 1992. The accident pilot purchased the airplane in April 2015, and it had multiple previous owners.
Meteorological Information
At 1953, the automated weather observation at KBTL recorded wind from 100 degrees at 5 knots, 10 miles visibility, scattered clouds at 3,600 feet, temperature 66°F, dew point 54°F, and barometric pressure 30.16 inches of mercury.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The airplane impacted terrain on airport property near the intersection of runways 05L/23R and 13/31. A post-crash fire consumed most of the fuselage and wing structure. On the runway, an empty oil bottle with the bottom cut out (used as a funnel) was found; it matched the brand of oil bottles found in the wreckage.
Examination of the wreckage revealed that the cabin/cockpit area was largely consumed by fire. Only pieces of the canopy lock system and canopy were located. Most flight controls were consumed. The engine sustained extensive thermal damage; the magnetos could not be tested. The carburetor and gascolator contained no residual fuel but had fire damage; the fuel screen was clear of debris. Engine continuity through the valve train was confirmed when rotated.
Additional Information
Video reviews: The phone video showed the canopy bouncing open up to two inches as the airplane taxied. Security video captured the airplane taxiing, part of the takeoff, and then flying downwind. The airplane then made a 180-degree right turn; during the turn, it appeared to bank in excess of 90 degrees, rapidly lost altitude, and impacted terrain, erupting in fire.
Photographs provided by family showed that the canopy opened on the left side (hinged on the right). A checklist recovered from the wreckage included a BEFORE TAKEOFF item: "Canopy Locked RT & LT side."
Communications
The tower controller cleared the pilot to taxi to 23R via taxiway Delta or Bravo. During taxi, the pilot crossed an active runway without clearance and stopped at the wrong taxiway. The controller advised the pilot of the error, then cleared him to line up and wait, immediately followed by takeoff clearance. The controller asked if the pilot was ready; the pilot departed. The controller then asked if everything was okay, but received no response. The controller later cleared the pilot to 5L, then to any runway. Only a garbled transmission containing "23" was heard, presumed to be from the accident pilot.
Medical and Pathological Information
An autopsy conducted by Western Michigan University, Homer Stryker, M.D. School of Medicine determined the cause of death as "multiple blunt injuries." Toxicological testing by the FAA Bioaeronautical Sciences Research Laboratory was negative for carbon monoxide, ethanol, and tested drugs. Cyanide testing was not performed.