# NTSB MIA98LA094: Nickelson Martin Coot, N84MN, New Port Richey, FL, March 6, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 6, 1998, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: New Port Richey, FL - Coordinates: 28.129188, -82.590621 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.1292&lon=-82.5906&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38469 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA98LA094 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38469/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA98LA094 ## Probable cause failure of the pilot to obtain/maintain adequate airspeed, while maneuvering after takeoff, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and subsequent collision with the terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - airspeed - not obtained/maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis Witnesses observed the airplane on takeoff about 10 to 15 feet above the runway in a left wing low attitude. According to them, the airplane appeared to be very near stall speed while climbing. They reported that the airplane continued climbing to the north between 100 to 150 feet, and appeared to enter a stall. The airplane rotated to the left, the angle of bank increased to about 60 to 70 degrees, and the nose pitched down about 50 to 60 degrees. No change in engine sound was noted. The airplane hit a pole as it plunged to the ground, and a postcrash fire ensued. ## Factual narrative On March 6, 1998, about 1130 eastern standard time, a Nickelson-Martin Coot-A experimental airplane, N84MN, registered to a private owner, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, crashed after departing Tampa Bay Executive Airport, Odessa, Florida, while maneuvering in the traffic pattern. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was destroyed. The private pilot sustained fatal injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. Witnesses stated the airplane was observed on takeoff about 10 to 20 feet above the runway in a left wing low attitude. It appeared to be very near stall speed while climbing. The airplane started a slow left climbing turn towards the north. It reached about 100 to 150 feet in the turn when the airplane appeared to enter a stall. The airplane rotated quickly to the left, and the angle of bank increased to about 60 to 70 degrees. The nose was observed to pitch down about 50 to 60 degrees. The engine sounded normal with full power all the way to impact. The airplane collided with a utility pole, and the ground, and a post crash fire ensued. Examination of the airframe revealed no evidence of a precrash mechanical failure. Continuity of the flight control system was confirmed for the rudder and elevators. The control tube for the ailerons was consumed by postcrash fire. The engine and propeller system were not checked due to witness reports that the engine was running all the way to the point of impact. Postmortem examination of the pilot of N84MN was conducted by Dr. Joan E. Wood, Medical Examiner, District Six, Medical Examiner's Office, Largo, Florida, on March 8, 1998. The cause of death was multiple blunt force injuries. Postmortem toxicology of specimens from the pilot was performed by the Forensic Toxicology Research section, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. These studies were negative for ethanol, acidic, and neutral drugs. Fluoxetine, 0.061 (ug/ml, ug/g), was detected in the blood. Fluoxetine is a drug which acts on the central nervous system, and reported side effects include anxiety, nervousness, insomnia, drowsiness, and dizziness, although most patients do not experience these effects. Review of records on file with the FAA Aeromedical Certification Division revealed no recorded entry on the pilot's application for a third class medical certificate, dated December 31, 1996, that he was using the prescription drug fluoxetine. The source of the drug could not be determined. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N84MN](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N84MN-1999-01-22), registration cancelled 1999-01-22, S/N TT5 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Nickelson Martin COOT - Registry model: [Nickelson Martin COOT-A](https://openairdocs.org/model/nickelson-martin-coot-a) (registry code 957051S) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: TT-55 - Engines: unknown - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Ralph E. Boyd - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: X-41 - Destination: MTH, MARATHON, FL - Airport: RRF, Tampa Bay Executive, runway 8, 5,001 × 48 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 247 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: TPA, 15 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 19980306002809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980306002809A), Mar 6, 1998: Amtrta COOTAMPHIB1A, New Port Richey, FL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Stalled out of slo climbing turn after takeoff. Burned after impact. Pilot had non flyable medical drug in system. (-23) the pilot departed runway 8 at Tampa… 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.