NYC08LA225

The non-certificated pilot/owner and his passenger were returning to a private farm from a local flight. The pilot performed a "low speed, low altitude pass" over several witnesses gathered at the farm. When the airplane was about 1 mile from the road where the pilot intended to land, the airplane entered a steep left turn, and then stalled and spun to the ground from an altitude of approximately 200 feet. Examination of the wreckage did not reveal evidence of any mechanical deficiencies. The airplane was at least 72 pounds over the 1,100 pound maximum gross weight at the time of the accident. Additionally, the pilot had substantial risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea (marked obesity and evidence of poorly controlled high blood pressure), had recently taken a prescription sleep aid, and was taking a prescription weight loss product. Given these factors, the pilot's decision making may have been impaired by fatigue, or by the effects of the medications. However, the investigation was unable to verify whether the pilot was impaired during the accident.

On June 22, 2008, at 1132 Atlantic standard time, a Rans S-6ES experimental light sport aircraft, N131PR, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain during an uncontrolled descent near Lajas, Puerto Rico. The non-certificated pilot/owner and passenger were fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight, which departed from a road near a private farm in Lajas, Puerto Rico. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. According to information provided by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the pilot departed from Eugenio Maria de Hostos Airport (TJMZ), Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, about 0830, and proceeded to Lajas, where he landed on a road near a private farm. While at the farm, the pilot met with a group of persons who were having a party. The pilot boarded a passenger, and they departed about 1100 for a local flight. According to several witnesses at the party, one of whom was a student pilot, after returning from the flight, the pilot performed a "low speed, low altitude pass" over the group. When the airplane was about 1 mile from the road where the pilot intended to land, the witnesses watched the airplane make a "steep" left turn, followed by a "stall, spin" from an altitude of approximately 200 feet above ground level. The 1150 weather conditions reported at Rafael Hernandez Airport (TJBQ), Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, about 27 nautical mile northwest of the accident site included winds from 070 degrees at 15 knots, gusting to 21 knots, 10 statute miles visibility, scattered clouds at 2,000 feet, temperature 30 degrees Celsius (C), dewpoint 23 degrees C, and an altimeter setting of 30.04 inches of mercury. The wreckage was examined at the accident scene by FAA inspectors. According to the inspectors, the wreckage remained confined to the immediate impact area, with the exception of the propeller blades, which were found about 50 feet away. Examination of both fuel tanks revealed that they each contained about 4 gallons of fuel. No separations of the flight control system were noted, and the elevator was found in a "nose up" position. According to FAA airworthiness documents, the pilot/owner applied for an experimental light-sport airworthiness certificate on January 30, 2008. Experimental Operating Limitations were subsequently issued by the FAA for the airplane the following day. According to the operating limitations, the pilot-in-command of the airplane was required to hold either a student pilot certificate, a sport pilot certificate, or a pilot certificate at the recreational pilot level or higher. A search of the FAA airman database revealed that neither the pilot nor the passenger held any FAA pilot or medical certificates. The FAA's Bioaeronautical Sciences Research Laboratory, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, performed toxicological testing on the pilot. Toxicology testing indicated the presence of ephedrine,pseudoephedrine, phentermine, and zolpidem in the pilot's liver. With the exception of zolpidem, these compounds were also detected in the pilot's blood. In addition, irbesartan was detected in the pilot's heart and blood. The level of phentermine detected in the pilot's blood was 0.062 ug/g; however, the levels of the other substances present could not be quantified. An autopsy was performed on the pilot by the Institute of Forensic Sciences, San Juan, Puerto Rico. The autopsy report noted the cause of death as "severe blunt trauma." The report also noted that the pilot's height was 68 inches, and that his weight was 280 pounds. Under the heading, "Cardiovascular Finding," the autopsy noted that the pilot's heart weighed 460 grams, the wall of the left ventricle was up to 2.2 cm thick, and the coronary arteries showed minimal atherosclerosis. Review of weight and balance records revealed that the accident airplane had an empty weight of 714 pounds, and a maximum allowable takeoff weight of 1,100 pounds. Calculations that used the empty weight of the airplane, the weight of the pilot, and the amount of fuel observed during the wreckage examination, indicated that a maximum passenger weight of 58 pounds was required for the airplane to remain within the allowable weight limitations. The FAA inspector estimated the passenger's weight to be between 130 and 150 pounds.