# NTSB ERA13LA093: Russom Roy G Hummel H5, N156FH, Calhoun, GA, December 18, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 18, 2012, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Calhoun, GA - Coordinates: 31.329246, -84.940109 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.3292&lon=-84.9401&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report January 14, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 85843 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA13LA093 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/85843/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85843 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13LA093 ## Probable cause The pilot’s impairment or incapacitation due to the effects of medication, worsening cardiac disease, or cardiac arrhythmia, which resulted in his loss of control of the airplane. ## 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: [Russom Roy G HUMMEL H5, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02012050/cases.md?model=056295Y), [All aircraft, 69 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02012050/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Russom Roy G HUMMEL H5, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=056295Y), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Russom Roy G HUMMEL H5, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=056295Y), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Russom Roy G HUMMEL H5, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=056295Y), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Course deviation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/281); cases with it: [Russom Roy G HUMMEL H5, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/281/sequence.md?model=056295Y), [All aircraft, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/281/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Russom Roy G HUMMEL H5, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=056295Y), [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: [Russom Roy G HUMMEL H5, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=056295Y), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The experimental amateur-built airplane was completed about 4 months before the accident and had been flown less than 4 hours by the pilot/builder. Witnesses reported that when the airplane took off, the engine sounds, ground roll, and departure were all "normal." Then, about 300 feet above the ground, the airplane began a slow roll to the right (the airport traffic pattern was to the left), reaching about 90 degrees of bank and 60 degrees of nose-down pitch when it descended into trees. Witnesses reported no engine power changes until impact. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed extensive impact-related fire damage. The throttle and mixture controls were at their full power positions, and the carburetor heat control was in the full cold position. Flight control continuity was confirmed, but numerous flight control surfaces had separated from the cockpit controls, consistent with impact overload. No preexisting mechanical anomalies were found that would have precluded normal operation. The 76-year-old pilot had no recent Federal Aviation Administration medical examinations, but none were required as he was operating the airplane as a sport pilot. Although the cause of death was listed as blunt force trauma, the autopsy report also revealed severe atherosclerotic coronary artery disease but did not contain information about the extent of occlusions, the vessels involved, or evidence of interventions, such as stents. The report identified extensive fibrosis and scarring throughout the heart muscle, suggesting previous coronary artery blockage event(s); but with no further details of the scarring and no microscopic examination. The exact extent of cardiac disease and whether there had been any recent coronary events could not be determined. Extensive scarring of the heart muscle creates an increased risk of irregular heart rhythms that can lead to dizziness or sudden incapacitation. Toxicology was positive for blood pressure medications that, by themselves, should not have degraded the pilot's ability to safely operate the airplane but with other factors, could have resulted in low blood pressure, dizziness, or even unconsciousness. Based on the pilot's recent reported dizziness, the findings of severe coronary artery disease, and evidence of heart muscle damage, it is likely that the pilot was impaired or incapacitated when he lost control of the airplane as a result of low blood pressure due to medications, worsening heart disease, or an irregular heart rhythm. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On December 18, 2012, about 1400 eastern standard time, an experimental amateur-built Hummel H5, N156FH, was substantially damaged when it impacted trees and terrain shortly after taking off from Tom B. David Field (CZL), Calhoun, Georgia. The private pilot/builder was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the local personal flight which was operating under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. According to a responding Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, witnesses reported that the airplane took off from runway 17 with the engine sounds, ground roll and departure all "normal." Then, about 300 feet above ground level, the airplane began a slow roll to the right, reaching about 90 degrees angle of bank and 60 degrees nose-down when it descended into trees heading about 300 degrees magnetic. There were no engine power changes until impact. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION The single place, tailwheel airplane was constructed primarily of metal and powered by a Revmaster R2200D engine. It was completed by the pilot on September 17, 2012, and issued an FAA Special Airworthiness Certificate with operating limitations. A logbook review by the FAA inspector revealed that it was first flown on September 19, 2012, by the pilot, and had accumulated 3.8 hours not including the accident flight of approximately 2 minutes. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The pilot, age 76, held a current private pilot certificate with an airplane single engine land rating. An FAA review of his logbook revealed a total time of 142 hours, with 121.0 hours daylight, 8.7 hours night, 100.6 hours dual and 41.5 hours solo through the end of July 1969. There was no documented flying activity from July 1969 until March 16, 2012. A flight review occurred on March 16, 2012, in a Piper J3-85, and from March 2012 until the accident, the pilot accumulated an additional 21 hours, of which, 3.8 hours were in the accident airplane. The FAA inspector also noted that according to FAA records, the pilot did not hold a current FAA medical certificate, but that the airplane met the definition as a light sport aircraft and a current driver's license was appropriate to meet the medical requirements. METEROLOGICAL INFORMATION Weather, recorded at an airport 13 nautical miles to the southwest, at 1353, included clear skies, wind from 300 degrees true at 5 knots, 10 statute miles visibility, altimeter setting 29.96 inches Hg. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION According to the FAA inspector, the airplane's initial impact point was in a tree, about 50 feet above the ground, in the vicinity of 34 degrees, 27.03 minutes north latitude, 084 degrees, 55.83 minutes west longitude. The wreckage path angle of decent was about 60 degrees, heading approximately 290 degrees, and the wreckage came to rest in a dense thicket approximately 200 yards from the western edge of the airport property, approximately midfield. The engineand firewall sustained heat damage, and most of the center section aft of the fire wall was consumed by fire. The right wing exhibited compressions consistent with an initial right-wing-down impact, and the wooden propeller was broken near the hub flange. The wreckage was subsequently moved to a hangar for further examination. Throttle and mixture were at full power positions and the carburetor heat control was found in the full cold position. Flight control continuity was confirmed, but with numerous flight control surfaces separated from the cockpit controls, consistent with impact overload. No preexisting mechanical anomalies were noted by the inspector. MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION An autopsy was conducted on the pilot by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Division of Forensic Sciences, Decatur, Georgia, with cause of death determined to be "blunt force trauma of head, torso, and extremities." According to the NTSB Medical Factual Report review of the autopsy results, "the examination of the heart identified atherosclerotic coronary artery disease. The heart weighed 420 grams (normal range for a male of this weight is 281 - 489 grams). The left ventricular wall measured 1.2 cm (normal). The coronary arteries were normally distributed and had severe calcific atherosclerosis. The amount of vessel occlusion was not recorded. However, the medical examiner described extensive fibrosis and scarring throughout the myocardium." Microscopic evaluation of the heart was not conducted. Toxicological testing was subsequently performed by the FAA Forensic Toxicology Research Team, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, which identified amlodipine in liver and blood, and valsartan in liver and blood. The NTSB Medical Factual Report also noted that amlodipine is a blood pressure medication marketed under the brand name Norvasc and that valsartan is a blood pressure medication marketed under the brand name Diovan. In addition, the pilot's wife reported that he was using amlodipine and valsartan daily to treat high blood pressure and that the pilot had recently complained of episodes of dizziness. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N156FH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N156FH-2013-02-01), registration cancelled 2013-02-01, S/N 156, built 2012 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: RUSSOM ROY G HUMMEL H5 - Registry model: [Russom Roy G HUMMEL H5](https://openairdocs.org/model/russom-roy-g-hummel-h5) (registry code 056295Y) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Volkswagen CONVERSION](https://openairdocs.org/engine/volkswagen-conversion) (registry code 63501, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 156 - Airframe hours: 4 - Engines: Volkswagon reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: CZL, Calhoun, GA - Destination: CZL, Calhoun, GA - Airport: CZL, Tom B. David, runway 17, 6,000 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 76; injuries: fatal; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; last flight review March 16, 2012; seat: single; flight hours: 142 total, 3 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: RMG, 13 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 20121218028809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20121218028809A), Dec 18, 2012: Russom Roy G HUMMEL H5, Calhoun, GA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. On December 18, 2012 at 1642PM approximately, an inspector from this office arrived at tom b David field (czl) Calhoun ga. Specifically a location in a tree… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 16, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85843. 8.7 MB in all. - FAA Inspector Statement (item 1, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420095&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Witness Statements (item 2, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420096&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements-Redacted.PDF - Medical Factual Report (item 3, .PDF, 247 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420097&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Medical%20Factual%20Report-Master.PDF - Toxicology Report (item 4, .PDF, 113 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420098&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Toxicology%20Report-Master.PDF - Photo 1 - Wreckage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 6.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420099&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Wreckage%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.