Pilot Debrief

Edward R. Sugg Sonex near Marion, SC — 2018-09-12

Final reportERA18LA249
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Date
2018-09-12
Location
Marion, SC, USA
Aircraft
Edward R. Sugg Sonex
Registration
N75SX
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Maneuvering

Probable cause

Impact with terrain for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.

NTSB narrative

The 85-year-old commercial pilot was conducting a local pleasure flight in his experimental, amateur-built airplane. A witness near the accident site saw the airplane flying at low altitude before it entered a "straight up" climb followed by a descent and continued "straight down" toward the ground. It did not appear that the pilot attempted to pull out of the dive. Examination of the airplane and engine revealed no mechanical discrepancies that would have precluded normal operation. Despite the pilot's age, his daughter stated that he had no known medical issues (cardiac, respiratory or physical) that would interfere with his flying, and no evidence of incapacitation or impairment were identified by the autopsy and toxicology testing. The reason for the airplane's impact with terrain could not be determined based on the available information.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have avoided low maneuvering near the ground.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 10 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents10

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