SEA06LA184

The pilot was landing the amateur-built experimental category airplane on a dry, paved runway. FAA inspectors reported that tire marks on the runway indicated the airplane touched down on the runway, and at some point during the landing roll it veered left of the runway centerline. The airplane nosed over on the western edge of the runway. The airplane's canopy was crushed during the accident sequence and the pilot, the sole occupant, was killed. There were no witnesses to the accident. The pilot of a departing aircraft reported seeing the wreckage during his initial climb from the airport. The hourly Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR) was, in part, wind from 280 degrees (true) at 10 knots; visibility, 15 statute miles; temperature 29 degrees C; altimeter, 29.91 inches.

History of flight

On September 20, 2006, about 1334 eastern daylight time, the pilot of N973D, an amateur-built experimental category Shimer - One Design (DR 107), was fatally injured, subsequent to a nose-over, during the landing rollout at Lake Wales Municipal Airport (a non-towered airport), Lake Wales, Florida. The airplane was owned by the pilot and operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country flight under the provisions of Title 14, CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Aero Acers Airport, Fort Pierce, Florida.

Representatives from the Federal Aviation Administration, Orlando, Florida, Flight Standards District Office, and the Lake Wales police department reported there were tire marks on runway 35 that indicated the airplane touched down on the runway, and at some point during the landing roll the airplane veered left of runway centerline. The airplane exited the hard surface runway, nosed over, and came to rest on the western edge of the runway adjacent to the taxiway "bravo" intersection.

The FAA inspector reported that the airplane's canopy was crushed and damage was noted to the vertical stabilizer.

There were no witnesses to the accident. The pilot of a departing aircraft (DHC-6 Twin Otter) reported seeing the wreckage during his initial climb from the airport. A statement from the pilot is contained in the public docket for this case file.

Personnel information

The pilot held a private pilot certificate with an airplane single-engine land rating. The pilot held an FAA third class airman medical certificate issued on June 8, 2006. The medical certificate contained a limitation that required the pilot to wear corrective lenses for near and distant vision. The pilot reported "3,000+" hours total experience (25 in the 6 month period preceding the medical) at his last medical exam.

Aircraft information

According to the FAA aircraft registry, the accident airplane received an experimental category airworthiness certificate on January 24, 1995. The single-seat conventional landing gear airplane was equipped with a Lycoming IO-360 engine.

Meteorological information

The closest weather observation facility to the accident site was Bartow, Florida. On September 20, at 1351 EDT, the hourly Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR) was, in part, wind from 280 degrees (true) at 10 knots; visibility, 15 statute miles; temperature 29 degrees C; altimeter, 29.91 inches.

Medical and pathological information

A postmortem examination of the pilot was conducted on September 21, 2006. According to the autopsy report, the cause of death was attributed to "Fractures of the cervical vertebra." The manner of death was listed as accidental.

The FAA's Forensic Toxicology Research Team, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, conducted toxicology testing. The pilot tested negative for carbon monoxide, cyanide, ethanol and a wide range of drugs, including drugs of abuse.

The final forensic toxicology report, which includes specific test parameters and results, is contained in the public docket for this case.