CHI00LA093

The aerobatic airplane impacted terrain following departure from a private grass strip. The left wing was separated from the airplane and the left horizontal stabilizer was destroyed. The propeller displayed bending and twisting with rotational scratching on the spinner. There were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

On March 22, 2000, at 0955 central standard time, a Lockwood Christen Eagle II, N5576K, owned and piloted by an airline transport pilot, was destroyed on impact with terrain after takeoff from runway 27 (2,600 feet by 130 feet, grass) at the Walpole private airstrip, located approximately 3 miles south-southwest of Marengo, Illinois. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot received serious injuries. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was not operating on a flight plan. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The pilot stated that he topped the fuel off on November 22, 1999, and last flew the airplane on December 23, 1999 for 25 minutes after which he did not refuel the airplane. Prior to the accident flight, he checked the fuel and stated that it was 3 inches down from the top or 20 gallons. He also stated that he had no memory of the entire flight.

Fuel records provided by the owner of the airstrip indicate that the airplane was last fueled on November 22, 1999, with 12.3 gallons.

The wreckage was approximately 450 feet south of the airstrip. A northeasterly ground scar of approximately 225 feet contained a section of the left wing and landing gear strut. The left horizontal stabilizer was deformed upward and parallel with the side of the fuselage. The right wing was attached to the fuselage and the right horizontal stabilizer was in its horizontal position. The propeller was separated from the engine and exhibited twisting and curling. The spinner exhibited scratching in the rotational direction. The mechanical wobble pump was operated and a liquid consistent with aviation fuel was expelled from the pump. The crankshaft was rotated and air was expelled from each cylinder. Engine continuity was established. Flight control continuity was established to the flight controls.

The Federal Aviation Administration and Textron Lycoming were parties to the investigation.