# NTSB MIA97LA052: Sirocco Flying Club MJ 5, N949EA, Sanford, FL, December 31, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 31, 1996, 11:13 local (16:13 UTC) - Place: Sanford, FL - Coordinates: 28.780128, -81.270919 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.7801&lon=-81.2709&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report October 31, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38196 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA97LA052 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38196/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97LA052 ## Probable cause failure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed, while maneuvering in the traffic pattern (crosswind) after takeoff, which resulted in an inadvertent stall, uncontrolled descent, and collision with terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis After takeoff, at about the time the pilot was turning crosswind, he transmitted on tower frequency, 'I lost it, I'm coming in.' The airplane was observed to pitch nose down and impact the ground. Examination of the airplane by an FAA inspector revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction of the flight controls. According to tower personnel, in the past [previous flight(s)], the pilot had advised the controller of an engine overheating problem, but no determination was made as to the reason for the previously reported engine overheating condition. ## Factual narrative On December 31, 1996, about 1113 eastern standard time, a homebuilt MJ 5, N949EA, registered to the Sirocco Flying Club, Inc., experienced an in-flight loss of control and crashed shortly after takeoff from the Central Florida Regional Airport, Sanford, Florida. 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 and the commercial-rated pilot, the sole occupant, was fatally injured. The flight originated about 1111, from the Central Florida Regional Airport. According to a transcript of communications the pilot requested clearance to takeoff from runway 9R with the intention of "shoot a couple of approaches." The flight was cleared to takeoff and at 1111.33, and at 1112.56, an unidentified voice advised the controller, "I just lost it coming in." The accident site was examined by an FAA inspector who reported that witnesses observed the pilot turn crosswind then observed the airplane pitch nose down and impact the ground. Examination of the flight controls by the FAA inspector revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction. No examination of the engine was performed. According to tower personnel, the pilot had in the past while flying in the traffic pattern advised the controller of an engine overheating problem. A postmortem examination of the pilot was performed by Janet R. Pillow, M.D., Medical Examiner, Seminole County. The cause of death was listed as multiple injuries due to an airplane accident. Toxicological analysis was performed on specimens of the pilot by the Wuesthoff Memorial Hospital Laboratory. No drugs or carbon monoxide were detected. Toxicological analysis was also performed by the FAA Accident and Research Laboratory. The results were negative for all tested drugs, volatiles, cyanide, and carbon monoxide. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N949EA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N949EA-2013-08-05), registration cancelled 2013-08-05, S/N 101, built 1993 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Sirocco Flying Club MJ 5 - Registry model: [Sirocco Flying Club MJ 5](https://openairdocs.org/model/sirocco-flying-club-mj-5) (registry code 05620AQ) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Ford CONVERSION](https://openairdocs.org/engine/ford-conversion) (registry code 26701, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 101 - Engines: Ford V6 reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Sirocco Flying Club, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: SFB - Airport: SFB, Central Florida Regional, runway 9R, 3,578 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,100 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: SFB ## 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 19961231040869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961231040869A), Dec 31, 1996: Amtrht SIROCCOMJ5, Sanford, FL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. On climbout pilot advised lost control and going down. Pitched nose down on upwind. No control problems found. 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.