History of Flight
On July 14, 2017, at 0932 Pacific daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Jansen Pazmany PL-2, N186EJ, impacted the ground after a loss of engine power following takeoff from San Gabriel Valley Airport (EMT) in El Monte, California. The private pilot was fatally injured, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The aircraft was registered to Progenitech, LLC and operated under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight, which was originating at the time of the accident.
Airport gate entrance records show the pilot arrived at 0914. According to the airport control tower, the pilot contacted ground control for a taxi clearance at 0928 and contacted departure control at 0930.
A witness observed the airplane take off. When it reached between 50 and 75 ft above the runway, the engine "sputtered and quit." The airplane continued to climb straight ahead briefly, then appeared to initiate a left turn back toward the runway at an altitude of about 200 ft above ground level. The witness reported that the airplane reached an approximate 90° angle of bank, and its nose dropped as it descended almost vertically to the ground.
Personnel Information
In addition to the pilot's various ratings, he completed an around-the-world flight in a single-engine airplane in 2010. The pilot's logbook was not recovered. During his most recent medical examination, he reported 4,200 total flight hours and 200 hours in the previous six months.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The first identified point of contact was a ground scar with debris from the left wing tip and fuel tank. A second ground scar from the propeller spinner exhibited an indentation consistent with a propeller strike, with no torsional bending. The debris path extended along a magnetic heading of 106°. The main wreckage came to rest about 66 ft east of the first point of impact, with all debris contained within approximately 500 square ft.
The fuel selector was set to the left fuel tank position. Fuel drained from the gascolator had color and odor consistent with 100LL aviation fuel; the sample contained no debris or water. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The engine remained attached to damaged mounts with no evidence of catastrophic malfunction. Top spark plugs exhibited normal operating signatures. The rocker covers were removed, and manual rotation of the crankshaft established thumb compression in proper firing order; rockers moved normally. The carburetor was displaced; throttle control was attached, and the mixture cable arm was separated consistent with impact. The carburetor bowl contained no fuel; float pontoons were intact with no evidence of hydrodynamic crushing. The accelerator pump well was devoid of fuel. The gascolator bowl contained about 1 ounce of fuel. The fuel selector was removed and allowed air passage when set to the left tank. Air blown through the fuel system from wings to engine showed all fuel lines and vents clear of debris and blockages. Air blown from the fuel pump outlet to the carburetor inlet revealed no anomalies.
The right and left wing fuel tanks were heavily damaged and contained no fuel; the asphalt around the wreckage was discolored consistent with fuel spillage.
Additional Information
An FAA Safety Team pamphlet titled "Aircraft Control After Engine Failure on Takeoff" stated that studies have shown startle responses during unexpected situations such as powerplant failure during takeoff or initial climb have contributed to loss of control. It also indicated a higher probability of survival if continuing straight ahead following an engine failure after takeoff, as turning back requires a turn of greater than 180 degrees and could create a scenario for a stall/spin accident at low altitudes and airspeeds.
Medical and Pathological Information
The Department of the Medical Examiner-Coroner from Los Angeles County performed an autopsy and listed the cause of death as blunt trauma. The FAA Bioaeronautical Sciences Research Laboratory performed forensic toxicology on pilot specimens with negative results for carbon monoxide, cyanide, and ethanol. Specimens tested positive for valsartan, a blood pressure medication; the FAA considers this medication generally acceptable for airmen if the underlying condition is well-controlled and there are no adverse side effects.