Pilot Debrief

MXR TECHNOLOGIES MX2 near Osteen, FL — 2022-08-24

Final reportERA22FA384
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Date
2022-08-24
Location
Osteen, FL, USA
Aircraft
MXR TECHNOLOGIES MX2
Registration
N263MX
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
2
Phase of flight
Maneuvering

Probable cause

The pilot’s loss of airplane control while performing aerobatic maneuvers, which resulted in the airplane entering an inverted flat spin that continued until the airplane impacted terrain.

NTSB narrative

The accident flight was part of a training and demonstration flight that included a series of aerobatic maneuvers. Flight track data for the accident flight revealed that the airplane departed and maneuvered for about 7 minutes before impacting terrain almost directly under the last data point. No linear ground scar was observed at the accident site, which was indicative of the airplane having descended nearly vertically to ground impact. Additionally, the wreckage was found in an inverted orientation. Examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of a preimpact mechanical anomaly that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane structure, the flight controls, or the engine. Estimated weight and balance calculations revealed that the airplane’s weight and its aft center of gravity were likely at or near the limit for aerobatic flight. Given the purpose of the flight, the flight track, and the orientation of the wreckage, it is likely that the pilot lost control of the airplane while performing aerobatic maneuvers and that the airplane inadvertently entered an inverted flat spin. A fracture of the elevator torque tube at the aft bulkhead opening corresponded with the elevator control surface being in the full nose up position when the airplane impacted the ground, which would have been a position consistent with the pilot attempting to recover from an inverted flat spin. The airplane’s weight and aft center of gravity likely contributed to the pilot’s inability to recover from the spin. Thus, the inverted flat spin likely continued until the airplane impacted terrain. Toxicology testing revealed subtherapeutic concentration of chlorpheniramine in the pilot’s blood, which likely did not cause significant symptoms. Hydrocodone and its active metabolites (hydromorphone and dihydrocodeine) were detected in the pilot’s urine but not in his blood, so they would not have had any therapeutic effect or side effect. Thus, the detected chlorpheniramine, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, and dihydrocodeine did not contribute to this accident.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Pilot did not add fuel before the accident flight despite previous fuel management issues.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Video
  • ADS-B / radar
  • Photos
  • 20 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents20

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