N8036W

On July 9, 1994, at 1709 Pacific daylight time, a homebuilt experimental Quickie airplane, N8036W, sustained substantial damage when it crashed on takeoff at Camarillo, California. The aircraft was owned and operated by a private individual and was on a local solo flight. Visual meteorological conditions were prevalent at the time and no flight plan had been filed for the operation. The certificated airline transport pilot sustained minor injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The pilot reported that prior to departure he performed a series of engine run-ups. The first two run-ups were performed with a series of full power static runs, in which the engine developed 2,800 rpms. The third run-up was described as a standard "before takeoff" procedure. On the final run-up, the engine rpm was advanced to 2,200 rpms. The pilot reported that the run-up series took approximately 15 to 20 minutes to complete and that there were no abnormal indications during that time.

The pilot stated that after completing the run-ups he taxied into position on runway 26 and initiated the takeoff roll. He reported that he rotated the aircraft at 55 mph and established his initial climb speed after takeoff at 70 mph.

After reaching 90 feet agl in the initial climbout, the engine began to run rough. He said that he throttled back to almost idle and found that this dissipated the roughness. He said that he tried to advance the throttle, but the engine failed to develop any power.

Anticipating an emergency forced landing and due to the lack of remaining runway, the pilot elected to turn left into the wind and toward a perpendicular taxiway. The pilot stated that he touched down in a flat open area beyond the taxiway at an estimated speed of 55 mph. The pilot said the left canard touched first causing the aircraft to ground loop, and resulting in major structural damage to the aircraft.

The pilot, after a postaccident examination of the engine, concluded that a malfunction had occurred in the engine ignition system. Although he was unable to troubleshoot the specific problem, he said the simple nature of the system led him to suspect a possible ground fault or loss of continuity in a spark plug wire.