NTSB Factual Report

"THIS CASE WAS MODIFIED AUGUST 19, 2008."

On March 5, 2007, at 1430 central standard time, an experimental amateur-built Wood Quickie Q-2, N89WW, received substantial damage on impact with an agricultural field near Edwardsville, Illinois. The pilot reported that the airplane was having engine problems to air traffic control after takeoff from St. Louis Regional Airport (ALN), Alton/St. Louis, Illinois. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot was fatally injured. The flight originated at 1410.

The pilot of another airplane, N65KC, heard N89WW issue the distress call to ALN tower. Approximately 1430, the pilot of N65KC saw N89WW and followed the airplane to the accident site. He stated that N89WW was trailing blue smoke and performed an emergency landing in a corn field. He described the landing as "hard and fast" and witnessed N89WW flip over during the landing. He stated that there was no fire or smoke from N89WW for about one to two minutes after the accident, after which a post-crash ground fire ensued until emergency personnel arrived at approximately 1445.

Ground scarring from the landing was not parallel to the rows within the field.

An examination of the engine was performed by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors. Both left side cylinders were found with no compression and the cylinder head bolts were found with zero torque. The lower left hand cylinder forward hold down bolt was found backed out 1/8 inch. After removing the cylinder head and barrels for both left cylinders, evidence of severe combustion gas blow by was found on both barrels and both heads. Metal was melted out of the left hand heads at the bottom forward and bottom aft hold down bolt areas.

An autopsy was performed by the Madison County Coroner's Office at the Madison County Morgue in Wood River, Illinois.

The FAA Civil Aeromedical Institute prepared a Final Forensic Toxicology Accident Report for the pilot. The report indicated:

30% CARBON MONOXIDE detected in Blood

1.79 ug/ml CYANIDE detected in Blood

0.467 ug/ml DIPHENHYDRAMINE detected in Blood

DIPHENHYDRAMINE detected in Liver

0.077 ug/mL TRAMADOL detected in Blood

0.247 ug/mL TRAMADOL detected in Liver

Tramadol (also known by the trade name Ultram) is a prescription medication used for the management of moderate to severe pain. Diphenhydramine (commonly known by the trade name Benadryl) is an over-the-counter antihistamine with sedative effects, often used to treat allergy symptoms or as a nighttime sedative. The pilot did not indicate the use of tramadol or diphenhydramine on any of his applications for airman medical certificate.

NTSB Probable Cause

The loss of engine power during cruise due to loose cylinder head bolts/loose cylinders.