NYC08LA024

Witnesses described the engine sound during the takeoff roll and initial climb as "normal," "strong," and continuous with no interruption. The takeoff roll was "much longer than usual" and the airplane used about two thirds of the 3,588 feet of paved runway before it began a very shallow climb. The airplane drifted right of the runway centerline and flew around the east side of a grove of trees off the departure end. The airplane then banked to its left "in an apparent attempt to return to the airport," turned to the west, disappeared from view behind the trees, and then reappeared above the trees in a steep left bank. According to one witness, "[The airplane] popped up in a very steep left bank (both wings were vertical like a knife edge)." The airplane then disappeared from view, the sounds of impact were heard, and a large smoke plume appeared. No usable information could be gathered from the cockpit, nor could control continuity be established due to extensive fire damage. Examination of aerial photographs revealed that the airport and the grove of trees were surrounded by flat, open, cultivated fields suitable for forced landing.

On November 4, 2007, at 1011 eastern standard time, an amateur-built Blondin 601HDS, N27S, was destroyed when it collided with terrain after takeoff from runway 34 at Chorman Airport (D74), Farmington, Delaware. The certificated private pilot/owner and the passenger were fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91.

In written statements, several witnesses described the accident flight, and their statements were consistent throughout. They stated that the engine sound during the takeoff roll and initial climb was "normal," "strong," and continuous with no interruption. The takeoff roll was "much longer than usual" and the airplane used about two thirds of the 3,588 feet of paved runway.

The witnesses described a very shallow climb after the airplane lifted from runway 34. The airplane drifted right of the runway centerline, and flew around the east side of a grove of trees off the departure end. The airplane then banked to its left "in an apparent attempt to return to the airport," turned to the west, then disappeared from view behind the trees.

The airplane then reappeared above the trees in a steep left bank. According to one witness, "[The airplane] popped up in a very steep left bank (both wings were vertical like a knife edge)." The airplane then disappeared from view, the sounds of impact were heard, and a large smoke plume appeared.

The airplane was examined at the scene by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) aviation safety inspectors, and all major components were accounted for at the scene. The airplane was consumed by a postcrash fire. Therefore, control continuity could not be established; and neither could any information be gathered from the cockpit.

Examination of the propeller revealed one propeller blade separated from the hub, and the other delaminated during impact.

According to FAA records, the pilot held a private pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single engine land. He was issued a third-class medical certificate in March 2007, and he reported 250 hours of flight experience at that time.

The airplane was manufactured by the pilot/owner, was issued an airworthiness certificate in February 2007, and had accrued approximately 100 total aircraft hours since that date. The estimate was based on reports from witnesses who were familiar with the airplane and the pilot/owner. A member of the pilot's family reported to the FAA that he would conduct a search of the pilot's home for airplane and pilot records, but no records were ever produced.

Examination of satellite images revealed that the airport and the grove of trees were surrounded by flat, open, cultivated fields.

At 0954, the weather reported at Georgetown Airport (GED), Georgetown, Delaware, about 10 miles southeast, included clear skies with 10 miles visibility. The winds were from 310 degrees at 9 knots. The temperature was 13 degrees Celsius, and the dew point was 4 degrees Celsius.

According to FAA Advisory Circular AC-20-27D, Certification and Operation of Amateur-Built Aircraft,"…FAA inspections of amateur-built aircraft have been limited to ensuring the use of acceptable workmanship methods, techniques, practices, and issuing operating limitations necessary to protect persons and property not involved in this activity."