LAX03LA289

The airplane collided with the ground while maneuvering. The pilot flew over the airport approximately 50 to 100 feet above ground level (agl), and then entered a barrel roll. The pilot lost altitude at the end of the maneuver and impacted the ground. The debris field was approximately 150 square feet. The top wing of the biplane was sheared off and control continuity was unable to be established due to the damage sustained to the airplane. The pilot had around 1,700 hours total flying time, with limited aerobatic experience.

On September 15, 2003, at 1831 Pacific daylight time, an experimental Butzbach Smith Miniplane DSA1 biplane, N40DB, collided with the ground while maneuvering near Lake Wohlford Airport (PVT), Escondido, California. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot sustained fatal injuries; the airplane was destroyed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local area personal flight, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight departed from Lake Wohlford about 1825. The pilot succumbed to his injuries the day following the accident.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector responded to the accident site. The debris field was approximately 150 square feet. The top wing of the biplane was sheared off and control continuity was unable to be established due to the damage sustained to the airplane.

The Safety Board investigator-in-charge (IIC) interviewed a witness, who held a private pilot certificate and lived 1/4 mile behind the airport, via telephone. The witness stated that he was driving east on a road. The airplane was flying about 200 feet above ground level (agl), and fast, in an eastbound direction. It went out of view for about 10 seconds, and then the witness saw it traveling in a westbound direction. The airplane went over the airport "too fast and not at a normal landing attitude." Over the runway, at 50 feet agl, the airplane did a barrel roll. The roll was quick and to the left. He did not see the impact but immediately after the barrel roll, he observed a large cloud of dust. The witness did not feel anything was mechanically wrong with the airplane.

The IIC also spoke with an acquaintance of the pilot, who also witnessed the accident. The pilot attempted an aileron roll and "fell out" at the end. The witness felt the pilot's timing was off and that he rushed into the maneuver. He stated that it was common for the pilot to do aerobatic maneuvers in his airplane. Usually, the pilot did the maneuvers between 500 to 1,000 feet agl; however, the pilot was less than 100 feet when he entered the maneuver. The pilot had around 1,700 hours total flying time, but had limited aerobatic experience.

A review of FAA records indicated that the pilot's most recently recorded third class medical certificate was issued in October of 1991.

Repeated attempts to contact the family by the IIC were unsuccessful. The airplane and pilot logbooks were not recovered.