NTSB Factual Report

On July 19, 2017, at 1130 eastern daylight time, an Aircraft Manufacturing & Design (AMD) CH601XLi, special light sport airplane (S-LSA), N601PH, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain shortly after takeoff from Bradford County Airport (N27), Towanda, Pennsylvania. The student pilot, who was also the owner of the airplane was fatally injured. The airplane was operated under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight.

Several witnesses at N27 reported that the pilot departed the traffic pattern for a local flight of about 15 minutes before returning to the airport to perform touch-and-go landings on runway 23. After the second touch-and-go landing and during initial climb, the engine appeared to be producing partial power; one witness stated, "It was clearly behind the power curve." The airplane climbed and seemed to "mush" through the air and the nose dipped three times. The airplane made a shallow turn to the right, then approximately 2 miles southwest of the airport, it made a left turn crosswind. Shortly afterwards, the pilot made a radio call and declared an emergency, stating that he was attempting to make it back to the airport. The airplane made a second left turn towards the airport, then the left wing quickly dropped and the airplane descended at a steep angle and struck trees and steep terrain. Witnesses saw the ballistic parachute rocket deploy as the airplane descended behind the trees, followed shortly by black smoke.

Two days before the accident flight, the pilot/owner fueled the airplane with 18.79 gallons of 100 LL aviation fuel. The airplane held a total of 30 gallons of fuel between two wing tanks; 28 gallons of which are usable. The pilot then departed N27 for a 20-minute local solo flight, then returned for landing. The airplane was not flown again until the day of the accident.

The pilot held a student pilot certificate. His pilot logbook was not initially recovered, however, between September 20, 2016 and April 14, 2017, his flight instructor's records showed the pilot received 21.2 hours of dual instruction and an additional .3 hours of solo flight including a 90-day solo endorsement which was accomplished on April 14, 2017.

According to Federal Aviation Administration records, the airplane was issued a special airworthiness certificate on July 18, 2007. The airplane was an all-metal, side-by-side, two-seat, fixed landing gear airplane, with a Continental O-200, 100-horsepower engine and a Sensenich two blade wood propeller. It was produced by AMD as a S-LSA airplane per ASTM standards. According to the airframe maintenance logbook, the most recent condition inspection was performed on September 16, 2016 at 264.7 total airframe hours.

At 1553, the weather conditions reported at Elmira/Corning Regional Airport (ELM), which was located at 954 ft elevation, 32 miles northwest N27, included clear sky, wind from 230° at 7 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, temperature 28°C, dew point 19°C, and an altimeter setting was 30.07 inches of mercury.

The wreckage was examined at the accident site, and all major components were accounted for at the scene. The wreckage revealed that the airplane struck steep wooded terrain at an inverted position about 1 1/2 miles from the departure end of runway 23.

The forward fuselage, cockpit and instrumentation were consumed by postimpact fire. Both wings were separated from the fuselage, but found in the immediate vicinity of the accident site. The empennage was wrapped around a tree. The ballistic parachute system was partially deployed, and the parachute was found midway up a 75-ft. tall tree about 50 ft from the wreckage.

Control continuity was established from the cockpit to the flight control surfaces through several breaks and cuts that were consistent with impact and overload separations in addition to rescue personnel cutting tools.

Continuity of the fuel system could not be confirmed. Both fuel tanks were breeched; the right fuel tank exhibited thermal damage, and the left fuel tank was heavily impact damaged. The fuel selector valve and fuel lines were damaged by impact forces and the postimpact fire; the setting could not be determined.

The engine was attached to all its mounts and found in an upside-down position. It exhibited postimpact fire and impact damage, but remained largely intact. All cylinders remained attached to the crankcase. The rocker box covers were removed and no anomalies were noted with the valve springs and rocker arms. The engine could not be rotated by hand by the propeller hub or through the accessory section. The accessories were removed and the engine crankcase was opened to expose the crankshaft, camshaft and valvetrain. One of the camshaft lobes was impinged against the crankshaft, preventing full rotation. All the pistons showed normal wear. During examination of the engine, several ounces of oil drained from the engine and all internal engine components appeared lubricated.

The left and right magnetos were fire damaged and did not produce sparks at the leads, when rotated. The left magneto showed signed of internal damage, and was retained for further examination. The top spark plugs and all associated leads and connections were found in place. The top spark plugs were covered in oil but showed signs of normal wear. The bottom spark plugs showed signs of normal wear.

The carburetor was removed for examination. It was thermally damaged and displayed no signs of mechanical damage; all parts were intact and moved freely. The fuel pump was damaged and significantly deformed.

The oil filter was opened. The internal paper filter was damaged by heat and was heavily carbonized. No metal or ferrous material was found internally. The oil filter screen was clear and free from obstructions.

One of the two wooden propeller blades was found 25 ft from the main wreckage. The other blade was not recovered. The central blade hub was exposed to significant heat and was heavily charred.

The airplane was recovered to a secure facility and retained.