Accident Overview
On October 25, 2015, about 1740 central daylight time, an unregistered amateur-built airplane experienced a loss of engine power shortly after departing a private airstrip near Bennington, Kansas. The private-rated pilot sustained fatal injuries, and the airplane incurred substantial damage. The aircraft was owned and operated by a private individual under 14 CFR Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.
Witness Accounts
A witness reported to the responding Federal Aviation Administration inspector that he observed the airplane taxi back and forth several times before departure. When the airplane reached an altitude of about 150 feet, the witness heard the engine suddenly stop. The airplane turned back toward the runway, but then fell from approximately 40 feet to the ground. The airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted.
Pilot Information
The pilot held a private pilot certificate with a single-engine land airplane rating, as well as a mechanic certificate with airframe and powerplant (A&P) ratings. His last application for a medical certificate was dated November 9, 2011, on which he reported 450 total flight hours, with 5 hours in the previous six months. Although the medical certificate had expired, under the sport pilot rule he was medically eligible to fly a light-sport airplane, provided he complied with applicable FAA regulations. The pilot's flight logbook was not located.
Aircraft Information
Little documentation regarding the history of the airplane was found. The aircraft did not display a registration number, and there was no record of it being registered. Aircraft maintenance records were not located during the investigation. A family member reported that the aircraft had originally been a gyrocopter and that the pilot had modified it into a fixed-wing airplane. It was powered by a Rotax 582 two-stroke reciprocating engine. Although the wording "EXPERIMENTAL" appeared on the side of the aircraft, there was no record of an airworthiness certificate.
Meteorological Conditions
At 1753, the automated weather observation facility located about 10 miles south of the accident site reported: wind from 120 degrees at 6 knots, 10 miles visibility, clear sky, temperature 68°F, dew point 30°F, and barometric pressure 30.23 inches of mercury.
Wreckage and Impact
The airplane impacted terrain near a rural residence, which was also located near hay fields. The pilot used a grass runway as an airstrip. The airplane came to rest inverted, with the tube frame to the empennage folded. Both wings sustained substantial damage but remained attached to the fuselage. The front cabin area sustained heavy impact damage, and the right main landing gear was torn from the fuselage. The engine's three-bladed propeller remained attached. Fuel was present on site, the spark plugs appeared normal, and when turned by hand, the engine rotated and had compression.
Medical and Pathological Information
The State of Kansas, Office of the Coroner, Ottawa County, conducted an autopsy on the pilot. The cause of death was determined to be blunt traumatic injuries. The FAA Bioaeronautical Sciences Research Laboratory conducted toxicological testing on the pilot. The specimens were not tested for carbon monoxide and cyanide. The test was negative for ethanol and positive for Cetirizine, Hydroxyzine, Oxymetazoline, and Promethazine. The medical review noted that these medicines could have been administered in the hospital after the accident or for an allergic condition noted before the flight.
Engine Examination
A detailed engine examination was conducted on February 4, 2016, by a technical representative of Rotax under the auspices of the FAA inspector. The examination found discrepancies in the fuel system, carburetor jets, exhaust, and engine cooling system. Additionally, pitting consistent with detonation was observed on one of the cylinders. The examination found slight scoring on one piston, consistent with the beginning of piston seizure, and the other piston on the twin-cylinder engine contained vertical scoring and seizure marks. The engine stoppage was consistent with piston seizure.