# NTSB MIA97FA043: Forney F-1, N7530C, Middleburg, FL, December 22, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report - Date: December 22, 1996, 06:08 local (11:08 UTC) - Place: Middleburg, FL - Coordinates: 30.049259, -81.900032 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0493&lon=-81.9000&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report September 30, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38129 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA97FA043 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38129/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97FA043 ## Probable cause VFR flight by the noninstrument-rated pilot into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), which resulted in spatial disorientation and an uncontrolled descent into a wooded area. Factors relating to the accident were: failure of the pilot to obtain a preflight weather briefing, darkness, the adverse weather condition (fog and/or low ceiling), and the pilot's lack of instrument experience. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, unknown - preflight briefing service - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor) - light condition - dark night (contributing factor) - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor) - weather condition - fog (contributing factor) - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause) - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause) - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled - object - tree(s) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The noninstrument-rated pilot departed in dark night conditions on a local VFR flight at about 0530 EST, when instrument meteorological conditions prevailed due to fog. The flight did not return and Air Force satellites began receiving an emergency locator transmitter signal from the crash site sometime after 0600. The wreckage was located 1 mile southwest of the departure airport. The aircraft had crashed in a wooded area. The wreckage was scattered over 100 feet on a 320 degree heading. During examination of the crash site, all components of the aircraft were located on or around the main wreckage and there was no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction of the aircraft structure, flight controls, or engine. The engine tachometer showed the aircraft had flown about 38 minutes since departure. No record of the pilot having received a weather briefing was located after the accident. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On December 22, 1996, about 0608 eastern standard time, a Forney F-1, N7530C, registered to an individual, crashed into trees near Spencer's Airpark, Middleburg, Florida, while on a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft was destroyed and the private-rated pilot was fatally injured. The flight originated from Middleburg, Florida, the same day, about 0530. Family members and friends of the pilot stated the pilot planned to depart about 0530 for a local flight and return at about 0800. They stated it was foggy at the planned departure time. When the pilot did not return a search was initiated. The wreckage of the aircraft was located in a wooded area, 1 mile southwest of Spencer's Airpark, at 1630. PERSONNEL INFORMATION Information on the pilot is contained in this report under pilot information. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION A note found in the pilot's logbook showed the engine tachometer read 194.57 hours after he finished flying the aircraft on December 21, 1997. It also showed he had flown the aircraft 1.69 hours on that date. After the accident the engine tachometer read 195.21, showing the aircraft had flown .64 hours or about 38 minutes on the day of the accident. Additional information on the aircraft is contained in this report under aircraft information. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION Witnesses stated it was foggy and dark at the pilot's planned departure time of 0530. The fog was patchy, but at times was very dense. It remained foggy until about 1100. Additional meteorological information is contained in this report under weather information. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION The aircraft crashed in a wooded area located on the north end of the Camp Blanding Training Site, Middleburg, Florida. The crash site was about 1 mile southwest of Spencer's Airpark, the departure airport. The crash site was located at latitude 30 degrees 03 minutes and longitude 81 degrees 59 minutes. Examination of the crash site showed the aircraft collided with 75-foot-tall trees while on a northwesterly heading, severing the tops of the trees. The wreckage was scattered along a 320-degree line. The left wing and the left vertical stabilizer and rudder were located about 50 feet past the point of initial tree impact. The fuselage, engine, propeller, right wing, and the remainder of the tail section was located about 100 feet past the point of initial tree impact. All components of the aircraft necessary for flight were located along the wreckage path. Continuity of the flight control system was established. All separation points within the flight control system was typical of overstress separation. Postcrash examination of the engine showed the engine rotated and continuity of the crankshaft, camshaft, valve train, and all accessory drives was established. Each cylinder produced normal compression. Each spark plug had deposit coloring consistent with normal engine operation. Each magneto sparked normally when rotated by hand. The engine-drive-fuel pump operated normally and teardown examination of the carburetor showed no evidence of carburetor malfunction. Automotive fuel was found in the engine fuel lines. The propeller had bending damage consistent with being rotated by engine power at the time of tree and ground impact. The cable-driven engine tachometer was found indicating 1,400 rpm after the accident. MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION Postmortem examination of the pilot was performed by Dr. Margarita Arruza, Associate Medical Examiner, Jacksonville, Florida. The pilot died as a result of multiple injuries. No findings which could be considered causal to the accident were reported. Postmortem toxicology tests on specimens obtained from the pilot was performed by the Jacksonville Medical Examiners Office and the Federal Aviation Administration Toxicology Laboratory, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The tests were negative for ethanol alcohol, carbon monoxide, basic, acidic, and neutral drugs. For additional medical and pathological information see Supplement K and the toxicology reports attached to this report. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The aircraft wreckage was released on December 23, 1996, to Dennis Degerald, the pilot's step-son. Components retained by NTSB for examination were released on January 15, 1997, to Don Huntington, Quality Aircraft Salvage, Groveland, Florida. The Air Force Rescue Coordination Center, Langley, Virginia, received a merge of two satellite contacts with an emergency locator transmitter in the area of the crash site at 0657. Search and rescue operations were initiated. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7530C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7530C-1997-03-04), registration cancelled 1997-03-04, S/N 5645 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Forney F-1 - Registry model: [Forney F-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/forney-f-1) (registry code 0420202) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 5645 - Airframe hours: 1213 - Engines: Continental C-90-12F 90 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Daniel R. Johnson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 9, 1996, 45 hours before - Departed: FL13 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 305 total, 205 in this make and model, 205 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark - Wind: calm - Visibility: 0.5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 300 ft overcast - Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: GNV, 30 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 19961222039649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961222039649A), Dec 22, 1996: Univar F1, Middleburg, FL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Departed at night in low ceiling and fog vrr. Crash sight indicates circling to return. Struck trees. ## Other investigations on N7530C (1) 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. - [NTSB UNK64X4007](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X4007), Sep 16, 1964: Forney F1 (N7530C), Red Bank, NJ, substantial damage 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.