20010723025749A

(.19) On July 23, 2001, at 1115 central daylight time, a schnitz fiic-2 goshawn experimental amateur-built airplane, N393Y, was destroyed when it impacted terrain after takeoff from the Zuehl Airport near Marion, Texas. The commercial pilot was fatally injured and the pilot-rated passenger sustained serious injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 code of federal regulations part 91 flight test. The local flight was initiating at the time of the accident. During a telephone interview conducted by the NTSB investigator-in-charge, a witness stated that it was the first flight for the tandem-seat, bi-wing airplane. The witness stated that the airplane was observed making a few high speed taxis at the airport. The airplane eventually took off and made a "sharp turn to the left." The airplane then "stalled," and impacted terrain in a nose low attitude. (-23) on the morning of July 23, 2001, the experimental aircraft performed a high-speed check on rwy 17. After a short delay, the aircraft taxied back for takeoff. The flight was very short and the maximum altitude was estima ted to be 300 feet. Witnesses reported a sharp left bank turn after takeoff with accompanying engine surges. The aircraft bank angle increased, the plane departed controlled flight and impacted the ground. Flight duration was estimated to be less than sixty seconds. Prior to impact the plane struck a tall ash tree which reversed the flight path and caused the wreckage to be heading in the opposite direction. After ground impact, fuel was seen drippping on the floor of the front cockpit. It ignited with a mild concussion and was extinguished by the neighbors with hand fire extinguishers. Both pilots were removed from the aircraft by neighbors at the scene. There was one fatal and one seriously injured pilot. The neighbors were not injured during the rescue. The aircraft contained an airworthiness certificate but no operating limitations as required. (.4) the two pilots were conducting a high speed taxi test run when the bi-wing, experimental, amateur-built airplane inadvertently took off. Witnesses observed the tandem-seat airplane make a "sharp turn to the left", "stall," impact terrain and catch fire. During the brief flight, witnesses heard a surging noise. The airplane had never been flown before and had been issued an experimental airworthiness certificate two months prior to the accident. According to people at the airport, the front seat pilot had been working on the airplane for over a year and had never flown it. They added that the propeller governor had been removed and reinstalled a few days prior to the accident. The rear seat pilot stated that it was his understanding that the airplane was not supposed to takeoff. Toxicology tests on the front seat pilot revealed 0.05 ug/ml of diphenhydramine in the pilot's blood, an unquantified amount of diphenhydramine in the liver, and 1.076 ug/ml of acetaminophen in the pilot's blood. Acetaminophen is an over-the-counter pain reliever commonly known by the trade name tylenol. Diphenhydramine is an over-the-counter antihistamine. A study on the effects of diphenhydramine on driving performance revealed that the drug significantly impaired a person's ability to maneuver an automobile. Examination of the propeller governor revealed that the booster pump drive shaft was coated with what appeared to be a cooked oil coating, and the pilot valve was sticking inside the booster pump drive shaft. It could not be determined if the cooked oil coating was a result of the post crash fire or a pre-existing condition.