ERA09LA193

Two witnesses observed the experimental airplane flying overhead and noticed smoke coming from its front and underside. One of the witnesses reported that one wing was lower than the other and that the airplane was "loud." No radar data was available to determine the airplane’s flight path; examination of the airplane revealed that it impacted a tree with one wing, then impacted the ground at the base of the tree with the top half of the tree embedded in the fuselage. There was no evidence of any preimpact mechanical anomaly; however, the airplane was completely consumed by a postcrash fire. Examination of the pilot’s logbook revealed a total of 249 hours of flight experience. In the previous 9 years he logged 18 hours, including a 5-year period of time with no flight time logged. The pilot was also the builder and repairman for the airplane. His most recent entry in the airframe logbook was for a routine conditional inspection 5 months prior to the accident, at an aircraft total time of 249 hours. The origin of the smoke could not be determined; however, it could have affected the pilot's ability to control the airplane.

HISTORY OF FLIGHT On March 10, 2009, at 1249 eastern daylight time, an amateur-built Zodiac 601HD, N601DE, was destroyed during impact with the ground and postcrash fire in Live Oak, Florida. The passenger was fatally injured and the pilot initially sustained serious injuries. The pilot succumbed to his injuries on April 5, 2009. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the flight. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the airplane departed around 1200 from Suwannee County Airport (24J), Live Oak, Florida. It impacted a field about 7 miles to the west of the airport. The intended route of flight was unknown and the airplane could not be identified through radar data. Additionally, the pilot did not request a preflight weather briefing or file a flight plan. The only witnesses to the accident were two 5-year-old boys playing in their backyard. According to the witnesses, they observed the airplane flying overhead and noticed smoke coming from the front and underside of the airplane. One of the witnesses reported one wing was lower than the other and "it was loud." PERSONNEL INFORMATION The pilot, age 68, held a private pilot certificate with an airplane single-engine land rating. He also held an experimental repairman builder certificate for the accident airplane. His most recent Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) third-class medical certificate was issued on June 22, 2006. At that time, the pilot reported 500 hours of total flight experience. Examination of the pilot's logbook revealed entries from July 2, 1988 to March 20, 2007. During that time, the pilot logged 298 hours of total flight experience. He logged 280 hours of flight experience from 1988 to 1998, and then no entries from 1998 to 2001. The first entry in 2001 was for a flight review on October 29, 2001, followed by one entry for 16 hours accumulated from November 2001 to January 2002. The next and final entry in the logbook was on March 20, 2007 for another flight review. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION The Zodiac was a low-wing monoplane with two occupant seats installed in a side-by-side design. It was powered by a Franklin 4A235B31 engine. According to FAA records, the pilot was the builder of the airplane, and the airplane was issued an airworthiness certificate on November 27, 2001. Examination of the airframe logbook revealed entries from November 27, 2001 to October 2008 (day not specified). All entries were made by the pilot/repairman. The last entry, on "October 2008" detailed a routine conditional inspection with no anomalies noted, and an aircraft total time of 249 hours. The entry also stated that, as of that date, the airplane was "now a light sport aircraft." However, the FAA official file for the airplane did not indicate the change. The engine logbook was not located. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION The weatherrecorded at Valdosta Regional Airport (VLD), Valdosta, Georgia, 31 nautical miles northwest of the accident site, at 1253, included winds from 170 degrees at 4 knots, 10 miles visibility, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet, temperature 26 degrees, dew point 12 degrees, and altimeter setting 30.19 inches mercury. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION The airplane was examined after the accident by an FAA inspector. According to the inspector, the airplane impacted a tree with one wing, and then impacted the ground at the base of the tree with the top half of the tree embedded in the fuselage. The airplane was completely consumed by the postcrash fire with the exception of the tail section. Flight control continuity was confirmed from the rudder and horizontal stabilizer to the cockpit area. The engine could not be examined due to the severe postcrash fire, and the composite propeller was "shattered." MEDICAL AND TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION The pilot was transported to the hospital after the accident with critical injuries. He remained in the hospital and succumbed to his injuries 26 days after the accident. An autopsy was performed by the Office of the Medical Examiner, Gainesville, Florida, on April 6, 2009. The cause of death was listed as "complications of a plane crash."