MIA03LA002

Witnesses saw the airplane low and close into the airport, on what appeared to be a right downwind for the runway. They observed the airplane in a steep turn to the right, the nose dropped, the airplane struck the ground, and cart wheeled once before coming to a rest. An examination of the engine did not reveal any discrepancies.

On October 6, 2002, about 0905 central daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Golden RV6A, N609CG, registered to and operated by an individual, impacted the ground while maneuvering at the Moton Field Municipal Airport, Tuskegee, Alabama. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The airplane was destroyed. The private-rated pilot, and one passenger were fatally injured. The flight had originated from Greenville, Alabama, about 0830.

A witness located on the west side of the airport, just north of the maintenance hangar, saw the airplane "...somewhat low and close in on what appeared to be a right down wind for runway 31." According to the witness, others in his group said, they saw the airplane "cross over" the field before turning downwind. They watched the airplane attempt a steep turn to the right, the nose dropped, the airplane struck the ground, and appeared to cartwheel once before coming to rest.

The Chevrolet model 262, V-6 engine from N609CG, was examined under the supervision of the NTSB. The external examination of the engine assembly revealed that two of the three propeller blades were broken at the propeller hub, about 6 inches from the hub. One propeller blade remained attached to the hub. Examination of the carburetor revealed that the throttle plate was free and moved. No fuel was observed in the bowl section of the carburetor. Removal of the carburetor bowl revealed corrosive materials on the bowl, base and gasket. Corrosive material was also attached to the carburetor bowl retention bolts. The corrosive debris was also found embedded in the recesses of the carburetor bowl area. The examination of the remainder of the engine did not reveal any discrepancies.

An autopsy was performed on the pilot, at the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences, Regional Laboratory, Montgomery, Alabama, on October 7, 2002. According to the autopsy report the cause of death was "... Blunt Force Injuries." No significant pre-existing disease was noted on the autopsy.

Toxicological tests were conducted at the Federal Aviation Administration, Research Laboratory, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and revealed, "No ethanol detected." The following drugs were detected: "…ClMETlDlNE present in Blood; ClMETlDlNE present in Kidney; ClMETlDlNE present in Liver; 101.9 (ug/ml, ug/g) SALICYLATE detected in Urine." Cimetidine (trade name Tagamet) is an over-the-counter medication indicated for use in heartburn, acid indigestion, and sour stomach, available by prescription for the treatment of ulcers. Salicylate is the active form of aspirin.