20151106022079A

On November 6, 2015, about 1135 eastern standard time, an experimental, amateur-built, light-sport Zenith CH701 amphibian airplane, N56553, operated by a private individual, was destroyed when it impacted the ground in Okeechobee, Florida. The private pilot was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the flight that departed homestead general aviation airport (X51), homestead, Florida, destined for river acres airport (FD70), Okeechobee Florida. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 code of federal regulations part 91. Federal aviation administration (FAA) records indicate the airplane was issued a special airworthiness certificate in the experimental light-sport aircraft category on December 13, 2007. It was powered by a Rotax 912ULS, 100-horsepower engine, equipped with a three-blade warp drive composite propeller assembly. According to the owner, the airplane was based at X51 and had not been flown since about the time of its last annual condition inspection, which was performed during November 2011 and record of a ferry permit was not on file. The pilot was flying the airplane to FD70 to facilitate a condition inspection. It was said from a witness south of the accident site, stated that he observed the airplane flying about 100 feet above the ground. It was flying erratically, and rocking back and forth. He then heard a loud snap sound, which was immediately followed by one or both wings folding up and back about 45 degrees. Further laboratory evaluation is in process and failure cannot be substantiated at this time. The airplane appears to have entered a steep, "60-degree nose dive" and descended below the witness field of view. He also added that he heard the engine during the entire accident sequence and did not note any power interruptions.

The airplane impacted the ground in a residential area. All major portions of the airplane were accounted for at the accident site. The cockpit and cabin were consumed by a post-crash fire. The instruments could not be identified due to severe thermal damage. The engine, both wings, and landing gear were severely fire damaged. Ground scars and debris were located on a heading of about 260 degrees. The airplane came to rest inverted. The fuselage and right wing came to rest about 39 feet from an initial ground scar. The left wing was separated; however, it was located next to the fuselage and extended to about 61 feet from the initial ground scar. It was noted that a piece of windshield fragment was found on the ground, about 150 feet northeast of the initial ground scar. All portions of the airplane's wing struts were located. However one or more portions of the struts contained bends, impact damage, fire damage, corrosion, and/or separations. The wing struts were removed and forwarded to the NTSB materials laboratory for further examination. Initial examination of the engine did not reveal any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions. Further examination of the engine was accomplished with the assistance of a reputable source familiar with Rotax engines and it has been determined that all visual damage found during examination was that of impact and post fire. Any further information is pending laboratory analysis and the reports will be amended as needed.