# NTSB ERA11LA415: Polaris Polar Star, Dewees Island, SC, July 20, 2011

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 20, 2011, 18:15 local (22:15 UTC)
- Place: Dewees Island, SC
- Coordinates: 32.851665, -79.717781 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8517&lon=-79.7178&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering-aerobatics: Aircraft structural failure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/337)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 7, 2012
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 81197
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11LA415
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81197/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81197
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11LA415

## Probable cause

The non-certificated pilot’s operation of the unregistered airplane while impaired by alcohol. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s performance of aerobatic maneuvers that exceeded the structural limits of the aircraft, which resulted in failure of the wing due to overload.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Impairment/incapacitation: alcohol](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02012015): Personnel issues › Physical · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 87 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02012015/cases.md)
- [Experience/qualifications: qualification/certification](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 280 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010/cases.md)
- [Wing structure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035700): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 48 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035700/cases.md)
- [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Maneuvering-aerobatics: Aircraft structural failure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/337) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 290 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/337/sequence.md)
- [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

Witnesses observed the non-certificated pilot perform a loop and start to perform another. As the weight-shift-control aircraft was at the top of the second loop, inverted, at an estimated altitude of 1,000 feet above the water, the wing folded. The aircraft dropped straight down into shallow water. Although the aircraft, which consisted of a fabric-covered wing attached to an inflatable boat, met the definition of a light sport aircraft and should have been registered with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), it was not registered. The aircraft was not certificated to perform aerobatic maneuvers. Toxicology testing on the pilot’s blood was positive for .069 g/dL ethanol. FAA regulations prohibit operation of an aircraft with blood alcohol levels above .040 g/dL.

## Factual narrative

HISTORY OF FLIGHT On July 20, 2011, about 1815 eastern daylight time, an unregistered, experimental Polaris Polar Star flying boat incurred substantial damage when it crashed into the water near Dewees Island, South Carolina. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flying boat was owned and operated by the non-certificated pilot, under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, as a local personal flight. The pilot and the passenger were killed. The flight originated earlier that day, at an unspecified time and location. Witnesses to the accident gave statements to the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office representative. They stated that they observed the flying boat complete an aero-loop and started to perform another loop. When the flying boat was at the top of the loop, inverted, at an estimated altitude of 1,000 feet above the water, the wing folded. The flying boat dropped straight down into shallow water. Moments later sea vessels approached the wreckage to aid the two on board; one was trapped in the wreckage and the other was located floating in the water. PERSONNEL INFORMATION A review of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) data base revealed the pilot did not hold a pilot certificate. The pilot required, at minimal, a sport pilot license to operate the flying boat. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION The Polaris Polar Star is described as a two place, tandem design, weight-shift-control trike, of fabric and aluminum tubing construction, attached to an inflatable dingy boat, and power by a 64 horsepower Rotax, 582, engine. The flying boat’s specification required it to have a registration number issued by the FAA when operated. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION The closest official weather observation was at Charleston Air Force Base /International Airport (CHS), Charleston, South Carolina, about 20 miles west of the accident site. The CHS 1756 METAR, was wind from 210 degrees at 11 knots gusting to 16 knots; visibility, 10 statute miles; few clouds at 2,500; temperature 35 degrees Celsius (C); dew point minus 21 degrees C; altimeter 29.84 inches of mercury. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION Examination of the aircraft wreckage by an FAA Inspector showed no evidence of pre-accident malfunction. Examination of the wing showed it failed due to overstress. MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION The Medical University of South Carolina, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Charleston, South Carolina, conducted a postmortem examination of the pilot and passenger. The cause of death for both was blunt force trauma. The FAA Civil Aeromedical Institute (CAMI) conducted toxicology testing on specimens from the pilot. The tests were negative for carbon monoxide, cyanide, and drugs. The test were positive for 0.069 g/dL ethanol in blood, 0.074 g/dL ethanol in vitreous fluid, and 0.074 g/dL ethanol in urine. TEST AND RESEARCH FAR Section 91.17 (a) prohibits any person from acting or attempting to act as acrewmember of a civil aircraft while having 0.040 g/dL (40.0 mg/dL) or more alcohol in the blood. Adverse clinical symptoms have been noted with blood ethanol levels as low as 20.0 mg/dL (0.020 g/dL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Polaris Polar Star
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: Rotax 582 64 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special)
- Departed: Dewees Island, SC
- Destination: Dewees Island, SC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; injuries: fatal; seat: front; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.84 inHg
- Observed at: KCHS, 20 nm away

## Docket (8 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 8, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81197. 7.2 MB in all.

- Witness Statements (item 1, .PDF, 883 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40369105&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements-Redacted.PDF
- Charleston Sheriff Department's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 81 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40369106&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Charleston%20Sheriff%20Department%27s%20Statement-Redacted.PDF
- FAA Statements (item 3, .PDF, 229 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40369109&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Statements-Redacted.PDF
- Toxicological Report (item 4, .PDF, 70 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40369108&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Toxicological%20Report-Redacted.PDF
- Weather Reports and Records (item 5, .PDF, 348 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40369265&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF
- Photo 1; View of wreckage in water (courtesy of FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 844 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40369101&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201;%20View%20of%20wreckage%20in%20water%20(courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 2; Aft view of wreckage (courtesy of the FAA) (item 7, .PDF, 2.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40369102&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202;%20Aft%20view%20of%20wreckage%20(courtesy%20of%20the%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 3; Overview of wreckage (courtesy of the FAA) (item 8, .PDF, 2.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40369103&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203;%20Overview%20of%20wreckage%20(courtesy%20of%20the%20FAA)-Master.PDF

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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