LAX07LA032

A witness to portions of the accident sequence observed the airplane perform several touch-and-go takeoffs and landings. On the accident portion of the flight, he saw the airplane takeoff to the west, and then he turned away. He then heard the engine "revving" followed by silence. When he turned back, he saw that the airplane had impacted the ground in a steep nose down attitude. The two-seat experimental light sport airplane came to rest about 200 yards north of the departure end of the runway. The airplane's wings, cockpit, and tail section were all structurally damaged. FAA inspectors examined the wreckage and noted no mechanical problems with the airframe or engine. They further opined that the airplane appeared to have stalled and spun to the ground.

History of flight

On November 13, 2006, about 0920 mountain standard time, an experimental light sport Kolb MK III, N2031S, impacted flat desert terrain in a nose down attitude about 200 yards north of Pilots Rest Airport (AZ57), Paulden, Arizona. The newly certificated light sport pilot/owner and the private pilot passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was destroyed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local area flight, and no flight plan had been filed.

A friend of the pilot was a partial eyewitness. A deputy from Yavapai County Sheriff's Department interviewed the friend. He stated that he watched the airplane as it did touch-and-go takeoffs and landings. He then saw the airplane takeoff to the west, and turned away. He then heard a loud revving noise followed by silence. When he looked back toward the west, he observed the downed airplane.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors responded to the accident site and examined the airplane. They found no mechanical anomalies with the airframe or engine. According to the FAA inspector, it appeared the airplane stalled and spun to the ground.

Personnel information

Pilot 1

An examination of the pilot's personal logbook indicated that he had taken, and passed satisfactorily, the sport pilot practical test on October 8, 2006. He had been issued a third-class medical certificate on February 22, 2005. The following restrictions were noted on his medical certificate: must wear corrective lenses for near and distant vision; valid for student pilot purposes only; not valid for any class after.

According to the pilot's logbook he had an estimated total flight time of 270 hours. He logged an estimated 12 hours in the last 90 days. His personal logbook recorded no flight hours in the last 30 days. He had an estimated 130 hours in the accident make and model.

Pilot 2

A review of the FAA airman records revealed the pilot held a private pilot certificate with an airplane single engine land and instrument airplane ratings. At the time of the accident, the pilot's medical certificate was pending, with March 16, 2006, as the medical date. On his last medical application, the pilot reported a total time of 770 hours.

Aircraft information

The airplane was a single engine tandem Kolb MKIII, serial number P1134. A Special Airworthiness Certificate was issued on April 15, 2006, along with it's operating limitations. Under Part A of the Special Airworthiness Certificate, entitled CATEGORY/DESIGNATION, it stated that the airplane was experimental, with the PURPOSE stated as "Operating Light Sport Aircraft." On February 16, 2006, the airplane was issued a Certificate of Aircraft Registration (A/C Form 8050-3(10/2003) by the FAA. An entry in the airplane logbook under the year 2006, showed the Experimental Light Sport Aircraft Special Airworthiness certificate.

The airplane was equipped with a Rotax 582 engine, serial number 4017451.

Airport information

Information obtained from www.airnav.com indicated that Pilots Rest Airport is a privately owned airport. It has a single runway oriented along an east/west heading (09/27). The runway length is 5,250 feet wide by 75 feet wide; composed of a gravel surface.

Medical and pathological information

The Yavapai County Office of the Medical Examiner performed the autopsies of both pilot's on November 14, 2006.

Pilot 1

The FAA Forensic Toxicology Research Team (CAMI), Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, performed a toxicological analysis from samples obtained during the autopsy. The results of the analysis of the specimens were negative for carbon monoxide, cyanide, volatiles, and tested drugs.

Pilot 2

The FAA Forensic Toxicology Research Team (CAMI), performed a toxicological analysis from samples obtained during the autopsy. The results of the analysis of the specimens were negative for volatiles, and tested drugs. The blood samples submitted by the Yavapai County Medical Examiner for carbon monoxide and cyanide testing were not stable, and the tests were not performed.