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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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April 26, 1998 · Freebird Sport Freebird S · UNREG

Englewood, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 26, 1998
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Englewood, FL
Aircraft
Freebird Sport Freebird S
Tail Number
UNREG
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL98LA067

A non-registered FreeBird Sport homebuilt airplane collided with a house and subsequently the ground while on left base to runway 030 at the Buchan Airport in Englewood, Florida. The airplane was operated by a non-certificated pilot. A witness who was a pilot stated that he saw the airplane takeoff from Buchan Airfield. He said the airplane was in the air for about 3 to 5 minutes and then the engine sputtered. He said the airplane then went upside down and fell straight into the ground. Another witness, the cousin of the pilot stated that he was taking pictures of the airplane. He said it didn't appear that the pilot was having any difficulty with the airplane when it suddenly went upside down and fell straight to the ground. According to the FAA's Toxicological report the pilot had a high level of Diphenhydramine in the blood which would cause drowsiness.

NTSB Probable Cause

The inadvertent aerodynamic stall, and subsequent loss of control in-flight by the non-certificated pilot. A factor was the use of over the counter drugs which are known to cause drowsiness.

Full Narrative

On April 26, 1998, about 1743 eastern daylight time a non-registered FreeBird Sport homebuilt airplane collided with the ground while on left base to runway 030 at the Buchan Airport in Englewood, Florida. The airplane was operated by the non-certificated pilot, and visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight. The non certificated pilot and sole occupant sustained fatal injuries, and the airplane was destroyed. The flight had originated about 10 minutes prior to the accident. A witness stated that she was on her rear lanai, when she heard an airplane engine cough, and saw a shadow go across her backyard and then saw the airplane crash into her neighbors backyard. Another witness who was a pilot stated that he saw the airplane takeoff from Buchan Airfield. He said the airplane was in the air for about 3 to 5 minutes and then the engine sputtered. He said the airplane then went upside down and fell straight into the ground. Another witness, the cousin of the pilot stated that he was taking pictures of the airplane. He said it didn't appear that the pilot was having any difficulty with the airplane when it suddenly went upside down and fell straight to the ground. According to the FAA, the airplane was destroyed on impact and neither the pilot nor the airplane was certificated. Examination of the airplane by the FAA found that it did not comply with 14 CFR Part 103, in that it was a two place airplane, and had a 10 gallon fuel capacity. The FAA's Toxicological and Accident Research Laboratory performed a toxicology examination. There was no carbon monoxide, cyanide or ethanol detected in the blood or vitreous fluid. However, Pseudoephedrin was detected in the liver fluid, 0.108 & 0.709 Diphenhydramine was detected in the blood and liver fluid respectively, and Phenylpropanolamine was detected in the liver fluid and blood. Diphenhydramine is more commonly known as Benadryl.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:43 EDT
Nearest AirportBuchan Airport (1nm ESE)
Runway30
Runway Length2756 ft
Runway Width120 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftFreebird Sport Freebird S
Tail NumberUNREG
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · BOMBARDIER · Reciprocating

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 41 · Unknown

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 7000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 61 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time21:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data