CHI05LA276

The experimental amateur-built airplane was found off the departure end of a runway in a 90-degree nose-down attitude. Visual meteorological conditions with a density altitude of about 7,100 feet mean sea level prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane was purchased by the pilot two days before the accident. The pilot accumulated a total flight time of about 36 hours since his last airman medical certificate dated September 9, 2002, which expired 24 months later. He accumulated a total flight time of about 12 hours in the make and model of the accident airplane. A cruise propeller had been installed on the airplane and no documentation of such an installation was recorded with the Federal Aviation Administration. Examination of the airplane revealed flight control and engine continuity.

History of flight

On September 30, 2005, about 1300 mountain daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built Stits Playboy SA3B Lightning, N4747G, was found with substantial damage about a 1/2 mile from the departure end of runway 28 at Robert E. Arraj Field (IBM), Kimball, Nebraska. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed on the day of the accident. The pilot was fatally injured. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was not operating on a flight plan. The flight originated about 1050 and was en route to Laramie, Wyoming.

About 1035, the pilot called his wife just prior to the airplane being filled full of fuel by the fixed base operator (FBO) at IBM. About 1050, FBO personnel were leaving the airport when they saw the pilot begin his departure.

Personnel information

The pilot held a private pilot certificate with a single-engine land rating issued June 2, 1986. The pilot held a second class airman medical certificate dated September 9, 2002, with the following restriction: "Must have available glasses for near vision." A total flight time of 204 hours was reported at the date of his airman medical certificate issuance. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the pilot's medical certificate was expired at the time of the accident.

At the time of the accident, the pilot accumulated a total time of approximately 240 hours, of which 15 hours were in the past 90 days, and 12 hours were in the make and model of the accident airplane. The FAA on-scene inspector reported that the majority of the 12 hours was cross country flight time.

Aircraft information

The 1964 Stits Playboy SA3B Lightning, serial number P-360, was an experimental amateur-built two-seat airplane that accumulated a total time of 191 hours as of September 27, 2005, which was the date that a conditional inspection of the airplane was performed by the previous owner.

A sales contract dated September 27, 2005, for the accident airplane was found in the cockpit that listed the pilot as the buyer.

The airplane was powered by a Lycoming O-290-G engine that accumulated a total time of 201 hours as of September 27, 2005. According to the engine manufacturer, the G-model engine is used for ground power purposes.

The propeller was changed to a cruise propeller in April 2003 in order to improve the speed characteristics of the airplane. According to the FAA, there was no record of a major alteration for the installation of the cruise propeller, as required.

Airport information

IBM had an elevation of 4,926 feet mean sea level and was served by runway 10-28 (6,199 feet by 75 feet, concrete).

Meteorological information

The IBM Automated Weather Observing System located at the airport recorded at 1250, wind 360 degrees at 11 knots, gust 16 knots, surface visibility 10 statute miles; sky conditions clear; temperature 26 degrees Celsius dew point -05 degrees Celsius; altimeter setting 29.91 inches of mercury; relative humidity 12 percent.

Wreckage and impact information

The on-scene examination of the wreckage was performed by an inspector from the FAA. The wreckage was oriented on a heading of 190 degrees and located approximately 2,100 feet south of the runway 28 centerline in a 90-degree nose down attitude with the left wing leading edge embedded in the ground. Two pieces of the propeller were located 25 and 45 feet west and southwest of the main wreckage. A ground scar associated with right wing was noted two feet south of wreckage.

Flight control continuity was established from the cockpit to the elevator, rudder, and aileron control surfaces. Engine control continuity was established from the cockpit controls to the engine. The throttle was in the full forward position, and the mixture control was in the full rich position. The magneto switch was in the both position, and the master switch was in the on position. The fuel selector handle was broken off, and the fuel selector valve was in the on position. The carburetor heat was in the off position.

Medical and pathological information

An autopsy of the pilot was conducted by Kimball County on October 2, 2005.

The FAA's Final Forensic Toxicology Fatal Accident Report was negative for all substances tested.