UNREG

On July 16, 2000, about 2050 eastern daylight time, an unregistered Mead Kolb Firestar II, piloted by an uncertificated pilot was destroyed on impact with trees and terrain following a takeoff from a private airstrip near Gwinn, Michigan. The personal flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. No flight plan was on file. The pilot was fatally injured. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident.

A neighbor stated to the police, "... that he lives a few houses away from the crash site, and heard the engine of the aircraft 'reving up' for approximately 2 minutes, and then heard a loud 'boom.' He stated that he thought it was a crash, and went to the scene, and called 9-1-1 on his cellular telephone."

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) preformed an on-scene examination of the wreckage. The FAA inspector stated, "The Aircraft was in a nose down attitude. The wing leading edges and cockpit area were crushed. Fuel was visible in the fuel lines and in three 5 gallon tanks. The ballistic chute had been deployed, but did not open. The chute attachment cable had contacted the propeller while still spinning, causing damage to each blade tip. Also, the attach cable was under the left wing, indicating an unusual attitude of the aircraft prior to impact. The aircraft contacted a small tree (15') just after takeoff. It was reported that the engine was running and a loud pop was heard." In a telephone interview, the FAA inspector stated that no pre-impact anomalies were found, the ignition produced spark, and the cylinders had compression.

The FAA Civil Aeromedical Institute prepared a Final Forensic Toxicology Accident Report. The report was negative for the tests performed.

In a police report, the pilot's wife stated, "...that her husband had purchased the aircraft 2 years ago in Pennsylvania. She stated that her husband did not have a pilot's license, and taught himself to fly."

At 2055, the Sawyer International Airport, Marquette, Michigan weather was: Wind 230 degrees at 4 knots; visibility 10 statute miles; sky condition clear; temperature 28 degrees C; dew point 14 degrees C; altimeter 29.82 inches of mercury.

At 2055, density altitude at the Sawyer International Airport was 3,173 feet above mean sea level.