ATL03LA152

The aircraft was being flown shortly after performing maintenance of the aircraft. According to witnesses, the aircraft was maneuvering approximately 700 feet AGL (above ground level) when the engine lost power. The pilot began to circle the private grass strip in an attempt to restart the engine. During the circling maneuver the aircraft winged over to the left, pitched down, and collided with trees. Examination of the airframe revealed, all flight controls and flight control surfaces were functional. Examination of the engine revealed, it rotated freely, produced cylinder compression, and valve train continuity. The ignition, fuel, and oil systems were functional. Review of the Federal Aviation Administration records revealed that the aircraft did not have: Exemption No. 3784K, nor did the aircraft did not display the placard " To be used for instruction only". According to the previous owner, the aircraft was sold on April 23, 2003, and that the aircraft needed minor maintenance before flight.

On June 11, 2003, at 1945 central daylight time, an unregistered Chinook Plus 2 experimental airplane, serial number CP202141, collided with the trees while maneuvering near Elsanor, Alabama. The personal flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Weather data for the time of the accident was not recovered. The airplane was destroyed, and the non-certificated pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The flight departed a private grass airstrip in Elsanor, Alabama, on June 11, 2003, at 1940.

According to the pilot's relative, the airplane was being flown shortly after unspecified maintenance had been performed. According to eyewitnesses, the airplane was maneuvering approximately 700 feet above ground level when the engine lost power. The pilot began to circle the private grass strip in an attempt to restart the engine. During the circling maneuver the airplane "winged over" to the left, pitched down, and collided with trees. The pilot made no radio communications prior to the accident.

Examination of the airframe revealed, all flight controls and flight control surfaces were functional. Examination of the engine revealed, it rotated freely, produced cylinder compression, and had valve train continuity. The ignition, fuel, and oil systems were functional, and the fuel tank was breached.

Review of the Federal Aviation Administration records revealed that the aircraft did not have: Exemption No. 3784K, nor did the aircraft did not display the placard " To be used for instruction only". According to the previous owner, the airplane was sold on April 23, 2003, and no aircraft maintenance log books were recovered for examination.

The Department of Forensic Sciences, State of Alabama performed the pathological diagnoses of the pilot on June 11, 2003. The cause of death was reported as "blunt force trauma". The toxicology examinations were negative for carbon monoxide, cyanide, and ethanol.