NTSB Factual Report

On February 6, 2017, at 1615 eastern standard time, an experimental-exhibition Super Six, N426KS, collided with trees and terrain during a forced landing shortly after take-off from Silver Creek Airport (NC52), Morganton, North Carolina. The airplane was substantially damaged and the private pilot/owner was seriously injured. The airplane was operated under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed near the accident site at the time of the accident, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight.

The owner stated he would occasionally run the airplane's engine and would not fly it, but on the day of the accident, he decided to take the airplane up around the pattern one time. He conducted a preflight inspection on the airplane, that included "sticking" the fuel tanks to ensure there was enough fuel for the short flight. The pilot remembered the run-up, takeoff roll and rotation, but did not remember anything else until he woke up in the ambulance.

Witnesses reported that they heard the engine "sputtering," and saw the airplane descend through the trees before it came to rest and caught fire.

Initial examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that it struck trees and terrain about 3,500 feet west of the departure end of the runway in a wooded area, about 250 feet from residential buildings. The cockpit, left inboard wing and right wing were partially consumed by fire. The outboard portion of the left wing was located about 25 feet up in a tree aft of the main wreckage. The empennage had impact and fire damage and was twisted. The engine remained attached to the airframe and exhibited fire and impact damage.

The reduction gear box and propeller separated from the engine and were located approximately 50 feet from the wreckage in a clearing. The propeller exhibited no rotational damage and one of the three blades was bent slightly aft in a near feathered position. The propeller dome was crushed on one side.

The metal fuel tank had been punctured but the fuel sump contained a small amount of liquid that had the smell and color of 100LL Aviation Fuel.

The two-seat, single-engine, low-wing, tailwheel-equipped airplane was powered by a Pratt and Whitney, R1830-92, 1,200 hp engine. The airplane's airworthiness certificate was issued on March 21, 2011. The airplane had accumulated approximately 85 hours of total flight time. The last condition inspection was completed on April 6, 2016 at 77.6 hours total aircraft time. According to the pilot's son, who had 75 hours in the airplane, the fuel burn during cruise flight was 50 gallons per hour. During takeoff, the fuel burn was 120 gallons per hour and the fuel boost pump should be turned on.

The weather conditions reported at Hickory Regional Airport (HKY), Hickory, North Carolina, located 17 miles to the east of the accident site, included wind from 210° true at 8 knots, with no clouds or restrictions to visibility. The temperature was 18 degrees C with a dew point of -1 degrees C and the altimeter setting was 30.08 inches of mercury.

The engine was retained for further examination.