| Crash location | 36.170000°N, 83.905556°W |
| Nearest city | Maynardville, TN
36.250636°N, 83.797410°W 8.2 miles away |
| Tail number | N67WH |
|---|---|
| Accident date | 06 Jul 2016 |
| Aircraft type | Harrity William V Glasair (SH2F) |
| Additional details: | None |
On July 6, 2016, about 1400 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Glasair SH2F, N67WH, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Maynardsville, Tennessee. The private pilot was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Mainpro Inc. under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed about the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed for the flight that was destined for Clermont County Airport, (I69) Batavia, Ohio.
The pilot reported that he had flow from I69 to Knoxville Downtown Island Airport (DKX), Knoxville, Tennessee earlier in the morning without incident and that he was returning to I69 when the accident occurred. He reported that the preflight, taxi and run-up were normal and the climb to 6,000 feet mean sea level was uneventful. While passing through 6,000 feet to his cruising altitude of 6,500 feet, he reported that the engine "broke" and started to shutter "like it was out of balance." In addition, smoke started filling the cockpit. The pilot declared an emergency, shut down the engine and scanned the area for a suitable place to land. The terrain was hilly and unsuitable for landing, so the pilot elected to land on Tennessee, State Route 33 (SR33)
After turning and getting established on a final approach to the southbound lanes of SR33 traffic, the pilot noticed many electrical transmission wires crossing the road about 80 feet above ground level. The pilot flew under the wires by going into an abrupt descent, then attempted to flare for landing, but the airplane "pancaked" onto the road, collapsing the main gear and shearing off the nose gear. The airplane skidded about 200 feet before coming to rest on a business property adjacent to the road.
Initial examination of the engine by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed a 2 inch diameter hole in the top of the engine case, and oil streaks were observed on the underside of the engine cowling and fuselage.
The wreckage was retained by the NTSB for further examination.