N62431

On July 18, 2009, at 1010 central daylight time, a Marvin Faulk Tinker Bell, experimental amateur built single seat airplane, N62431, was substantially damaged upon impact with terrain on the northwest edge of the La Porte Airport (T41), La Porte, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 flight. The pilot, who was the only person on board, was seriously injured. The flight was originating from T41 and was en route to the Jasper County Airport (JAS), Jasper, Texas.

Several days before the accident a witness saw the accident airplane during takeoff while it was about 20 feet above ground level (AGL). The airplane appeared to be attempting to climb; however, it remained at a low altitude before the witness lost sight of the airplane after it cleared the trees at the edge of the airport. When the accident airplane returned for landing it bounced several times and the witness said the airplane “would have crashed” if the pilot hadn’t done a go-around. On the day of the accident, other witnesses saw the airplane approximately 100 to 200 feet AGL during its takeoff from runway 31. The airplane did not appear to be climbing and was in a “fairly steep angle of attack”. The engine was still running when the airplane began to descend, maintaining a nose up attitude all the way to impact. Evidence at the scene showed that the airplane came to rest upright and there was crushing damage to the fuselage. The engine and both wings were partially separated.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records show that the pilot was issued a student pilot certificate and third class medical certificate on October 17, 1996. The student pilot certificate expired on October 31, 1998 and was not reissued. No pilot logbooks or any other records of pilot experience were located during the investigation.

FAA records show that the pilot, who was also the builder, requested an aircraft registration certificate on June 16, 1999. The FAA issued a registration certificate on August 13, 1999. On October 28, 1999 the pilot requested an aircraft airworthiness certificate, however that request was denied by the FAA and an airworthiness certificate for N62431 was never issued. No aircraft maintenance records were located during the investigation.