19990821013139A

Acft took off from a grass strip and struck the ground at a steep angle approximately 5-10 minutes later, the 2 POB suffered fatal injuries, the acft was destroyed, other circumstances are unknown. (.19) on August 21, 1999, about 1940 eastern daylight time, a homebuilt kolb mark iii, N6268A, was substantially damaged after impacting terrain near Scott, Ohio. The certificated private pilot and passenger were fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local flight conducted under 14 CFR part 91. According to witnesses, the pilot had departed from an airstrip located on his property, heading in a southerly direction. The airplane climbed to about 200 feet above the ground, then leveled off. About 3 minutes later, the engine noise began to decrease, "like he was throttling back." The airplane began a left turn, and disappeared from view. The witness then heard the sound of "plastic tearing, and breaking of corn stalks." A second witness, who noticed the airplane after it passed overhead, stated that the airplane made a "weird sound" and descended nose first toward the ground. A resident, located about 1/2 mile southwest of the wreckage, found a part of the airplane in a bean field, and turned it over to the local authorities. A federal aviation administration inspector later identified the part as a gap seal. The gap seal was an airfoil shaped piece of plexi-glass, used to fill the gap left in-between the wings when they are assembled. The wreckage was retained for further examination. (.4)the homebuilt airplane departed from an airstrip heading in a southerly direction, and was observed turning to the left to a northwest heading. The airplane then descend into a bean field in a nose low attitude. The airplanes gap seal, an airfoil shaped piece of plexi-glass used to fill the gap which remained in-between the wings when they were assembled, was found about 1/2-mile southwest of the wreckage. According to a representative of the airplane kit manufacturer, testing with the gap seal removed indicated that performance was reduced due to the 'resulting loss of lift.' The representative further added 'some pilots would also forget to properly secure the gap seal before flying, which would be held by 2 springs to the fuselage and a center hold down catch.' Examination of the gap seal revealed that the rear left-hand spring was still attached and not stretched or damaged. The right-hand spring was not recovered. The center hold down catch was also examined and it did not display any damage. (-23)on 8/21/99 N6268A took off about 1944 heading NE. About 1944 the aircraft crashed. Eyewitnesses reported that the aircraft nose-dived into the ground. Both occupants were killed. Initial insoection revealed all major parts of the aircraft were in the area of impact. Subsequent inspection reveled that the gap seal, sectional area of wing attached between tow wings, was found a quarter of mile from impact site. It appeared that the engine was still rotating at time of impact. Fuel tanks contained fuel after impact.