BFO94LA019

The pilot reported that after circling one location, they departed and flew toward higher terrain. He said the airplane began to lose power, and he applied full power and increased the pitch of the airplane to attain the best angle of climb. The airplane could not clear a ridge and collided with trees on the ridge. Post accident examination did not reveal any pre-existing deficiencies with the airframe or engine. The examination did find on evidence and indications that the engine was running at impact. In his written report, the pilot did not indicate that there were any mechanical problems.

On November 26, 1993, about 1548 hours eastern standard time, an experimental Martin Streak Shadow, N106JM, collided with rising terrain, during a climb, near Mannington, West Virginia. The certificated airline transport pilot and his passenger received serious injuries. The airplane was destroyed. The local, personal flight was being operated by Joseph K. Martin of Salem, West Virginia. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The flight departed Clarksburg, West Virginia about 1500 hours.

The pilot reported that he and his passenger were conducting a local area sight seeing flight. He said that after circling one location, they departed to the west. In his written statement submitted to the NTSB, the pilot reported: "Realized aircraft was loosing altitude. Applied full power, brought nose to best angle of climb. Aircraft continued to settle." He reported that the aircraft did not clear a ridge and struck trees located on the ridge. In his written statement, the pilot did not indicate that there were any mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the accident.

An FAA safety inspector examined the airplane at the accident site. He did not find any pre-existing material deficiencies with the airplane during his examination. He further reported that one of the three composite propeller blades was shattered and the remaining two were not damaged. He observed fuel in the clear plastic lines from the fuel filter to the carburetor. According to his report, "The exhaust pipe was apparently hot upon impact because it was melted in to the plastic oil tank."