CEN21LA257

The noncertificated pilot was attempting to depart from a residential driveway when the nonregistered, experimental, amateur-built airplane impacted trees. The pilot did not make the airplane available for examination, and whether any mechanical malfunctions contributed to the accident could not be determined.

On June 1, 2021, about 1900 central daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built Quad City Challenger II airplane, N3821P, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Wallingford, Iowa. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Responding Federal Aviation Administration inspectors reported that the pilot attempted to depart a residential driveway when it collided with a tree, descended, and impacted terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot did not hold a pilot certificate. He had recently replaced the engine and propeller and was not a certificated mechanic. The pilot had logged a few hours with the engine and propeller combination before the accident flight. Following the initial contact with the FAA, the pilot refused to cooperate more with the investigation and a follow-up engine examination could not be conducted.