# NTSB ERA11LA496: Aero Adventure Zephyr II, N3577F, Sylacauga, AL, September 18, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 18, 2011, 17:21 local (22:21 UTC) - Place: Sylacauga, AL - Coordinates: 33.169723, -86.303054 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1697&lon=-86.3031&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report March 27, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 81823 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11LA496 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81823/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81823 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11LA496 ## Probable cause The pilot's incapacitation due to a heart attack during takeoff, which led to an in-flight loss of airplane control. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Impairment/incapacitation: cardiovascular](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02012050): Personnel issues › Physical · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Aero Adventure ZEPHYR II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02012050/cases.md?model=05904JB), [All aircraft, 69 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02012050/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Aero Adventure ZEPHYR II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=05904JB), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Aero Adventure ZEPHYR II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05904JB), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Aero Adventure ZEPHYR II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05904JB), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis 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. ## Factual 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 detectedin 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)" ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3577F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3577F-2014-10-02), registration cancelled 2014-10-02, S/N Z21991F, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AERO ADVENTURE ZEPHYR II - Registry model: [Aero Adventure ZEPHYR II](https://openairdocs.org/model/aero-adventure-zephyr-ii) (registry code 05904JB) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 582SER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-582ser) (registry code 55556, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: Z21991F - Engines: ROTAX 582 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Abbott Timothy Ralph - Registered owner: Abbott Timothy Ralph - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Departed: SCD, Sylacauga, AL - Destination: SCD, Sylacauga, AL - Airport: SCD, Sylacauga Municipal Airport, runway 27, 5,390 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: fatal; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,500 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 30.15 inHg - Observed at: ALX, 15 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 20110918020819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110918020819A), Sep 18, 2011: Aero Adventure ZEPHYR II, Sylacauga, AL, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. On September 18, 2011 at approximately 1721 hours local at Sylacauga, AL (kscd) a private pilot in his experimental light sport aircraft became airborne from… ## Docket (9 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 26, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81823. 1.7 MB in all. - Interview Summary (item 1, .PDF, 51 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40360876&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Interview%20Summary-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (item 2, .PDF, 71 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40360878&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Record of FAA Telephone Interview of Witness (item 3, .PDF, 45 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40360877&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20FAA%20Telephone%20Interview%20of%20Witness-Redacted.PDF - Police Report (item 4, .PDF, 718 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359625&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Police%20Report-Redacted.PDF - Weather Report (item 5, .PDF, 15 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359633&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Report-Master.PDF - Toxicological Report (item 6, .PDF, 135 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40360879&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Toxicological%20Report-Master.PDF - Photo: Rear View of Main Wreckage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 7, .PDF, 200 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359627&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%3A%20%20Rear%20View%20of%20Main%20Wreckage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo: Front View of Main Wreckage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 8, .PDF, 251 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359628&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%3A%20%20Front%20View%20of%20Main%20Wreckage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo: Engine (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 9, .PDF, 196 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359629&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%3A%20%20Engine%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.