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September 18, 2011 · Aero Adventure Zephyr II · N3577F

Sylacauga, AL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 18, 2011
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Sylacauga, AL
Aircraft
Aero Adventure Zephyr II
Tail Number
N3577F
Operator
Abbott Timothy Ralph
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA11LA496

During climb after takeoff, the experimental light sport airplane made an extreme right bank and descended nose-down into a grassy area adjacent to the runway. Although the pilot had recently modified the elevator trim, the in-flight upset was not a pitch upset, and examination of the wreckage revealed no preimpact mechanical malfunctions. The pilot's most recent Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) third-class medical certificate was issued about 8 years prior to the accident. A few months before the accident, the pilot had applied for another FAA third-class medical certificate; however, it was deferred by the FAA due to the pilot’s history of coronary artery disease, hypertension, lymphoma, and diabetes. The pilot's autopsy subsequently revealed that he suffered a fatal heart attack during the attempted takeoff.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's incapacitation due to a heart attack during takeoff, which led to an in-flight loss of airplane control.

Full Narrative

On September 18, 2011, about 1721 central daylight time, an amateur-built, experimental light sport (E-LSA) Aero Adventure Zephyr II airplane, N3577F, operated by a private individual, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain during takeoff from Sylacauga Municipal Airport (SCD), Sylacauga, Alabama. The certificated private pilot was fatally injured. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the planned local flight. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the pilot had removed pontoons from the airplane and installed a tricycle landing gear. To compensate for the subsequent tail-heavy condition, the pilot utilized an elevator trim tab extension; however, for the accident takeoff, the extension was left in the pilot's hangar and not installed on the airplane. During takeoff roll on runway 27, as the airplane became airborne, it nosed over and impacted a grassy area to the right, between the runway and taxiway. The airplane came to rest in the grassy area in a nose-down attitude. The FAA inspector added that a witness, who was watching airplanes from behind the airport fence, reported the accident law enforcement. The witness observed the accident airplane take off normally and climb out; however, the left wing then went straight up and right wing dropped suddenly. The airplane impacted the ground along the right side of the runway. Another FAA inspector examined the wreckage and confirmed flight control continuity from the cockpit control stick to all flight control surfaces. He did not attempt to start the engine as the fuel bowl was damaged during impact; however, he rotated the propeller by hand and confirmed continuity throughout the engine. The pilot, age 63, held a private pilot certificate, with ratings for airplane single-engine land, airplane multiengine land, and instrument airplane. He also held an LSA repairman certificate. The pilot's most recent FAA third-class medical certificate was issued on October 27, 2003. The pilot applied for another third-class medical certificate on May 9, 2011; however, the medical application was deferred for review due to a history of coronary artery disease, hypertension, lymphoma, and diabetes. At that time, the pilot reported a total flight experience of 2,500 hours. The pilot and aircraft logbooks were not recovered. An autopsy was performed on the pilot on September 21, 2011, by the University of Alabama, Department of Pathology, Birmingham, Alabama. Review of the autopsy report revealed, "Based on his clinical history and autopsy findings, he had an acute myocardial infarction leading to fatal arrhythmia, which likely led to the plane crash." Toxicological testing was performed on the pilot by the FAA Bioaeronautical Science Research Laboratory, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Review of the toxicology report revealed: "Metoprolol detected in Urine Metoprolol detected in Blood (Cavity) Ticlopidine detected in Urine Ticlopidine detected in Blood (Cavity)… Glucose NOT detected in Vitreous 3000 (mg/dl ) Glucose detected in Urine 4.8 (%) Hemoglobin A1C detected in Blood (Cavity)"

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:21 CDT
Nearest AirportSylacauga Municipal Airport (0nm)
Runway27
Runway Length5390 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAero Adventure Zephyr II
Tail NumberN3577F
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAbbott Timothy Ralph
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 582 · Reciprocating · 65
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 63 · Third Class · Fatal

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind80° @ 3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point59
Altimeter30.15 inHg
Observation Time22:15
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data