IAD05LA142

Witness observed the airplane as it abruptly spiraled downward into trees from about 1,000 feet above the ground. Examination of the airplane and engine revealed no mechanical anomalies. The pilot held a student pilot certificate, and was operating an unregistered ultralight-type airplane with a passenger onboard.

On September 24, 2005, about 1400 eastern daylight time, an unregistered, amateur built Air Creation Clipper 912 airplane, was substantially damaged when it impacted trees and terrain near Millstone, New Jersey. The certificated student pilot and passenger were fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight, which originated at Pearl Acres Airport (46NJ), Clarksburg, New Jersey, and was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

According to the New Jersey State Police, a witness observed the accident airplane depart Pearl Acres Airport. About 15 minutes later, and while the airplane was at an altitude of about 1,000 feet agl, he saw the airplane abruptly begin to "spin clockwise" and rapidly lose altitude. The airplane subsequently impacted trees located several hundred yards from the airport.

Another witness, who was also an ultralight pilot flying at the time of the accident, departed the airport several minutes before the accident airplane. The witness subsequently observed the airplane during the final moments of its flight. He described that the airplane "spiraled" downward from about 1,000 feet above the ground and impacted trees.

According to representatives of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the New Jersey Department of Transportation, Division of Aeronautics, the main wreckage came to rest about 1/2 nautical mile northeast of Pearl Acres Airport. Components of the airplane were found within a 25 to 30-foot radius of the main wreckage. Damage to trees in the area was consistent with a near vertical descent. All major components of the airplane were accounted for at the accident scene. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of a pre-impact malfunction or failure.

The accident airplane was equipped with a ballistic parachute system; however, the system was not deployed, and the safety pin remained in place.

The pilot was issued a student pilot certificate on February 26, 2005. He reported 22 total hours of flight experience on that date.

The weather reported at Maxfield Field, Lakehurst, New Jersey, 10 nautical miles southeast, at 1355, included winds from 110 degrees at 9 knots, 7 statute miles visibility, scattered clouds at 3,500 feet, and broken clouds at 23,000 feet.