ERA09LA203

The pilot was departing in an experimental, amateur-built airplane, equipped with a non-certificated 65-horsepower engine. Shortly after takeoff, the airplane lost partial engine power, banked 90 degrees left, nosed down and collided with the ground while attempting to return to the runway. Examination of the engine ignition system found that it was equipped with two coil packs. Chafing was observed on two wires from the aft coil pack. If the chafed wire running to the ignition made contact with the adjacent ground wire, or the engine block, the aft cylinder would have stopped producing power, and the remaining cylinder would have had difficulty continuing normal operation.

On March 19, 2009, at 1108 eastern daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built S6S Rans, N312RW, received substantial damage when it collided with the ground following a loss of engine power after takeoff from the Cartersville Airport (VPC), Cartersville, Georgia. The certificated private pilot and passenger received serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The airplane was registered to a private individual and operated by the private pilot under the provision of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Witnesses stated that shortly after takeoff, the engine lost power and the pilot attempted to return to the runway. While turning at a steep bank angle, approximately 90 degrees left bank, the airplane nosed down and collided with the ground. Witnesses called local authorities and proceeded to the accident site to lend assistance. Examination of the airplane found that it had impacted the ground in about a 30-degree nose down attitude. The engine was displaced back into the firewall and the firewall was displaced into the cockpit. Both wings sustained leading edge impact damage, and both main landing gear were observed bowed outward. The cargo area, empennage, rudder, and horizontal stabilizers were undamaged. Flight control continuity was established throughout the airplane. Examination of the airframe and flight controls revealed no anomalies. Examination of the engine revealed it was equipped with two coil packs, one for each cylinder. Both coil packs were removed and the wiring harness to the ignitions switch was also removed. Chafing was observed on two wires in the rear coil packs wiring. One wire, light brown in color, was connected to the coil pack and to a ground nut on the alternator. It was observed chafed near a plastic wire connector, traversing along the rear of the engine. A second wire was observed chafed at the same location, but was black and yellow in color and was connected at the ignition switch and the aft coil pack. The two-seat, high-wing, fixed tricycle gear airplane, serial number 11041619S, was issued a Federal Aviation Administration experimental airworthiness certificate on January 25, 2008. It was powered by a non-certificated Rotax 582 DCDI, 65-horsepower engine. According to the aircraft flight logbook, the last conditional inspection was performed on August 7, 2008. At that time, the airplane had accumulated 40 hours of operation. At the time of the accident, the airplane had accumulated 103 hours of operation.