ATL94LA126

The flight departed the airport in Chattanooga on an assigned heading of 155 degrees. The pilot was then instructed to turn left, on course, to his destination. Shortly thereafter, the aircraft disappeared from radar. Witnesses observed the aircraft in a steep bank over interstate 75, followed by a stall and steep descent into the trees. The wreckage was found adjacent to the interstate highway. After recovering from his injuries, the pilot could not recall the events surrounding the accident. An examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal evidence of a mechanical malfunction or failure.

On June 25, 1994, at 1059 eastern daylight time, a Green Starduster Too, N11TG, collided with trees and terrain following an in flight loss of control at Chattanooga, Tennessee. The commercial pilot was seriously injured, and the aircraft was substantially damaged. The aircraft was operated under 14 CFR Part 91 by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight to Collegedale, Tennessee. The flight originated at Lovell Field in Chattanooga at 1055.

The pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was to fly to Collegedale to pick up another pilot. He recalled that he ate breakfast prior to the flight. He did not recall any subsequent events on that day, including any preflight preparations, or the accident flight.

According to Air Traffic Control personnel, the flight had departed the airport in Chattanooga, and was assigned a heading of 155 degrees. After a handoff to Departure Control, the pilot was told to turn left, on course, to Collegedale. Moments later, the aircraft disappeared from radar, and no subsequent communications were received from the pilot.

A witness, who was also a police officer and pilot, observed the aircraft over Interstate 75, "in a steep bank." He observed the bank angle steepen, until the airplane entered a spin, at an altitude of about 400 to 500 feet above ground level. The airplane then went into the trees, next to the interstate highway, nose first. Another witness reported that the aircraft was in a steep bank turn, before it went into a "nose dive into the trees," and "looks like the plane stalled."

The engine was removed from the airframe and transported to a maintenance facility for examination. The propeller and spinner was still attached to the engine. The blade surfaces showed no evidence of rotational damage or scoring. One blade was bent aft. The propeller was rotated by hand, and internal continuity was noted throughout the engine. Compression was noted on all cylinders, except the number one cylinder. This cylinder was removed and inspected, with no discrepancies noted. Both magnetos produced a spark when rotated with an electric drill. The fuel manifold was opened, with residual fuel observed on the interior. The engine driven fuel pump operated normally, and contained about 2 tablespoons of fuel. A visual inspection of internal engine parts did not reveal evidence of discoloration or lack of lubrication.

Due to the extent of the pilot's injuries, an NTSB Form 6120.1/2 (Pilot/Operator Report) was not requested from the pilot. The applicable information from the report was obtained from other sources, and through a subsequent telephonic interview with the pilot.