NTSB Factual Report

On May 24, 1995, about 1330 eastern daylight time, a Bailey Quickie Q-2, N29BD, an experimental, homebuilt airplane, collided with the terrain, in Woodsfield, Ohio. The pilot was fatally injured, and the airplane was destroyed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The personal flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

The pilot departed the Marshall County Airport, Moundsville, West Virginia, approximately 1315, for the 18 NM flight to Woodsfield. When the pilot did not arrive, the Sheriff's Department was notified, and a search was initiated. The wreckage was located on May 25, 1995, at approximately 0830 in a hayfield, about 1 mile northeast of the approach end of runway 25.

A witness outside his house near the crash site stated that he heard the airplane's "engine shut off" and his attention was drawn to the airplane. He saw the airplane circling before starting down at a "sharp angle...45 degrees nose down." The witness stated that the engine started again, and described it as "the same way it stopped, no engine labor or grinding."

The engine was removed from the airplane and examined by an FAA Airworthiness Inspector, on June 1, 1995. According to the Inspector's statement, "...other than impact damage on the push rods for the right front cylinder, the engine turned freely." The engine examination did not reveal any discrepancies.

The Wheeling, West Virginia 1545 weather was; 5,000 scattered, visibility 12 miles, temperature 84 degrees F, dew point 66 degrees F, wind 220 degrees, 11 knots, gust to 22, altimeter 30.02 inches Hg.

The pilot's personal log book indicated that he had a total of 69.7 flight hours, with 21.2 hours in this make and model airplane, and 2 flight hours in this make and model airplane in the last 90 days.

An autopsy was performed on the pilot, on May 26, 1995, at the Franklin County Coroner's Office, in Columbus, Ohio, by Dr. Keith Norton.

Toxicological tests were conducted at the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Washington, DC.

NTSB Probable Cause

The loss engine power for undetermined reason and the pilot's failure to maintain control which resulted in an inflight collision with terrain.