N2377BTemco GC-1B · 1948

On April 12, 2017, about 1250 eastern daylight time, a Temco GC-1B airplane, N2377B, impacted trees and terrain shortly after takeoff from the Williams Flying Field Airport (24IN), Hartsville, Indiana. The commercial pilot sustained fatal injuries, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and a flight plan was not filed. The flight was originating at the time of the accident and was destined for the Shelbyville Municipal Airport (GEZ), Shelbyville, Indiana.

The accident pilot and a friend flew in the friend's airplane to 24IN to pick up the accident airplane. Repairs and maintenance had recently been completed on the accident airplane following a ground loop event in June 2016. After arriving at 24IN, the accident pilot and a mechanic (who was also a pilot) inspected the repairs and reviewed the airplane records. The mechanic provided about 3 to 4 gallons of fuel, which filled the tanks to about 1/2 full. The accident pilot asked the mechanic to perform a few takeoffs and landings with him; the mechanic declined as he had concerns with weight and balance, he was not a flight instructor, and he was unsure of the accident pilot's flight experience. The mechanic suggested the pilot fly to GEZ, which has a longer, hard surface runway, to practice some maneuvers.

Before takeoff, the accident pilot, who had not flown the airplane since the ground loop event, took a few minutes to re-familiarize himself with the cockpit and preflight the airplane. The friend then went to his airplane to prepare for departure. After about 5 minutes, the pilot signaled to the friend that he was experiencing a problem with the radios. In addition, they also noted a "light misfire at idle" with the engine. The pilot performed a brief engine run-up and the misfire was corrected. The pilot and friend then decided to fly to GEZ and resolve the radio issue at that airport and obtain additional fuel. The pilot then taxied ahead of his friend and positioned the airplane to depart on runway 2.

The accident pilot's friend, located in his airplane, and the mechanic, located adjacent to the runway, observed the airplane depart 24IN. According to the friend, the airplane accelerated straight and normal and flew "cleanly" off the ground. Shortly after rotation, about 35 ft above ground level (agl), the airplane rolled left as it continued to climb to about 75 ft agl, at which time the wings were near vertical. The left roll continued until the airplane impacted trees in a near inverted attitude adjacent to the runway.

The mechanic estimated that the airplane rotated about 60 knots, climbed to about 20 ft and then began to roll left; he estimated the airplane struck trees about 85 to 90 knots. He also stated that he thought the airplane experience a departure stall during the takeoff.

The pilot's friend reported that he'd known the pilot for over 25 years. He stated the pilot had over 50 years of flying experience, owned multiple land and amphibian airplanes, and built several experimental airplanes.

The pilot's logbook indicated the pilot had recorded one flight in another airplane for 0.3 hours since the ground loop.

The two-seat, low-wing, retractable-gear tailwheel airplane, serial number 3677, was manufactured in 1948. It was powered by a Continental IO-360-D, 215-horsepower engine, equipped with a controllable-pitch two-blade propeller. The airplane was registered to the pilot on September 12, 2012.

According to the airplane records and the mechanic who performed the repairs, as a result of the ground loop, the airframe, engine, and propeller were all repaired. Airframe repairs were completed on the landing gear system, lower fuselage skin, a wing rib, right flap and right aileron. For transport to the repair facility, the outboard wing sections were removed, and the wing sections and aileron control cable connection were reassembled during the repairs.

The engine was disassembled for a propeller strike inspection and overhauled by a repair station per manufacturer specifications.

According to airworthiness records, the airplane had Cessna 150 seats installed in 1972. Per the records, Cessna factory seat rails and reinforcements were used in the installation.

The two-seat, low-wing, retractable-gear tailwheel airplane, serial number 3677, was manufactured in 1948. It was powered by a Continental IO-360-D, 215-horsepower engine, equipped with a controllable-pitch two-blade propeller. The airplane was registered to the pilot on September 12, 2012.

According to the airplane records and the mechanic who performed the repairs, as a result of the ground loop, the airframe, engine, and propeller were all repaired. Airframe repairs were completed on the landing gear system, lower fuselage skin, a wing rib, right flap and right aileron. For transport to the repair facility, the outboard wing sections were removed, and the wing sections and aileron control cable connection were reassembled during the repairs.

The engine was disassembled for a propeller strike inspection and overhauled by a repair station per manufacturer specifications.

According to airworthiness records, the airplane had Cessna 150 seats installed in 1972. Per the records, Cessna factory seat rails and reinforcements were used in the installation.

Examination of the accident site revealed that the airplane impacted several trees and came to rest inverted in a tree-covered ravine. The main wreckage, which consisted of the fuselage, left and right wings, empennage, and engine, came to rest at the base of a large tree. The left wing displayed several semi-circular impacts, consistent with tree strikes. The two-blade propeller hub was fractured and remained partially attached to the crankshaft; both blades were separated from the hub. One propeller blade came to rest adjacent to the forward fuselage, and one propeller blade was located about 150 ft west of the main wreckage. Both propeller blades displayed bending and twisting deformation.

On May 3, 2017, at the facilities of AMF Aviation, Springfield, Tennessee, the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge, representatives of Continental Motors and the Swift Museum Foundation, LLC, examined the airplane. Examination of the hydraulic power package showed the landing gear valve was in the landing gear extended position. The flap valve was in the flaps retracted position, and the flap actuator rod was extended, which was consistent with a flaps retracted condition. Flight control continuity was established to all flight control surfaces. The aileron balance cable was separated near the center section, and the cable ends were broomstrawed which was consistent with an overload failure. A "Saf-T-Stop" seat track stop was installed on the left seat's right seat track. The seat track stop was secured and no evidence of movement or slippage was noted on the stop or seat track.

The engine was separated from the airframe during recovery from the wooded terrain. The engine oil sump and accessory case were fractured, and wood debris was embedded between the camshaft gear and the crankcase. The fuel system components remained attached to the engine, and the fuel lines remained attached to their respective fittings. The throttle, mixture, and propeller control cables remained attached to their respective components and control levers.

On April 13, 2017, at Columbus Regional Hospital, Columbus, Indiana, an autopsy was performed on the pilot. The listed cause of death was blunt force injuries as a result of an accident.

The Federal Aviation Administration's Bioaeronautical Sciences Research Laboratory, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, performed toxicological testing on the pilot. The tests were negative for cyanide and all screened drugs.