History of Flight
On May 5, 2018, at 1002 eastern daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built Belair Raven airplane, Canadian registration C-FNKZ, impacted terrain during the initial climb after takeoff from Sault Ste. Marie Municipal Airport (ANJ), Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. The private pilot and pilot-rated passenger were fatally injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane was owned by the pilot, who was operating it as a personal flight under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Day, visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and the flight departed without a flight plan.
Witnesses reported that the airplane taxied to runway 32 and departed in a nose-high attitude. One witness, a flight instructor, compared the climb to an aggressive short-field takeoff or a banner pilot's climb after picking up a banner. After reaching about 100 ft above ground level, the airplane turned right and transitioned to a steep nose-down spin until ground impact. The instructor stated that engine noise sounded normal throughout the takeoff.
Personnel Information
The pilot, age 67, held a Canadian private pilot certificate with an airplane single-engine land rating. He was issued a Canadian Category 3 medical certificate on February 8, 2018, requiring glasses and restricting flight to day visual conditions due to color vision deficiencies. He had accumulated 505 total hours of flight experience, with 61 hours in the accident airplane. Flight reviews were not recorded in his logbook.
The pilot-rated passenger, age 75, held a Canadian private pilot certificate with an airplane single-engine land rating. He was issued a Canadian Category 1 medical certificate on January 24, 2018, requiring glasses. He frequently flew with the pilot in the accident airplane.
Aircraft Information
The high-wing, tailwheel-equipped airplane was completed by the pilot in 2012 and issued a Canadian Special Certificate of Airworthiness. It was powered by a Honda 3.5-liter engine with a Performance three-blade, fixed-pitch wooden propeller. The airplane was not equipped with any stall warning devices. On the day of the accident, it was lightly loaded with cargo.
Meteorological Information
At 0955, the automated weather observation station at ANJ reported wind from 270° at 11 knots with gusts to 15 knots, 10 miles visibility, clear skies, temperature 12°C, dew point 3°C, and an altimeter setting of 29.93 inches of mercury.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The airplane impacted terrain and came to rest in a near-vertical, nose-down attitude on a heading of about 201°, about 180 ft east of runway 32. Both wings were crushed aft and remained attached. The fixed main landing gear and flight control surfaces were attached; elevator, elevator trim, and rudder control continuity was established to the cockpit. Aileron control continuity was established, but the left aileron cable was slack and disengaged from its bellcrank.
All three propeller blades were fractured near the hub; the spinner was crushed aft. The engine rotated by hand with thumb suction and compression on all cylinders and normal valve train and crankshaft continuity. Spark plug electrodes showed normal wear. Witness marks on seat rails indicated both seats were in normal positions during impact. Examination found no evidence of mechanical malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation.
Additional Information
The flight instructor who witnessed the accident noted that, during departures from runway 32 with westerly winds, he would often notice turbulence and swirling air attributed to tall trees about 100 yards west of the runway.
Medical and Pathological Information
Autopsies conducted by the Chippewa County Medical Examiner determined the cause of death for both occupants as blunt force injuries. The pilot's autopsy revealed left ventricular hypertrophy, a scar in the subepicardial area of the anterior left ventricle, and fibrosis in the lateral and posterior walls. He had experienced chest pains about 3 years before the accident. The passenger's autopsy revealed bilateral corneal transplants, emphysema, and 70-80% stenosis in the left anterior descending coronary artery. The passenger's son reported that his father tired more easily in the two years before the accident. Toxicological testing on both occupants was negative for all tests.