# NTSB ATL86FEI06: Bernard Darmstadt Daphne/Sdia, N961Z, Akron, OH, May 31, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: May 31, 1986, 13:18 local (17:18 UTC)
- Place: Akron, OH
- Coordinates: 41.039257, -81.480987 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0393&lon=-81.4810&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6975
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86FEI06
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6975/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86FEI06

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - spiral - performed, pilot in command
  - incapacitation(other cardiovascular), pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - building(nonresidential)

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED SPIRALING TO THE LEFT FROM 500 FT AGL AFTER TAKEOFF. THE SPIRAL CONTINUED UNTIL THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A COMMERCIAL BLDG. BASED ON THE AUTOPSY REPORT THE PLT DIED OF NATURAL CAUSES DECLARED TO BE CARDIOVASCULAR COLLAPSE. THE ACFT WRECKAGE REVEALED NO SIGNS OF MALFUNCTION OR DEFECTS OF A CAUSAL NATURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N961Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N961Z-1989-03-16), registration cancelled 1989-03-16, S/N 2 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BERNARD DARMSTADT DAPHNE/SDIA (DAPHNE/SDI)
- Registry model: [Harmon Jack AVID FLYER MARK IV](https://openairdocs.org/model/harmon-jack-avid-flyer-mark-iv) (registry code 05601GM) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 2
- Airframe hours: 3
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-8 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Joseph A. Ruskauff
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 24, 1986, 3 hours before
- Departed: AKR, AKRON, OH
- Airport: AKR, Akron Fulton, runway 25, 6,004 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,878 total, 779 in this make and model, 1,847 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CAK, 7 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19860531019979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860531019979A), May 31, 1986: Amtrsz DAPHNESD1A, Akron, OH, Destroyed. Descending turns made after takeoff until impacting airport building. Pilot had suffered cardiovascular collapse.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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