Pilot Debrief

COMMANDER AIRCRAFT CO 114TC near Palm City, FL — 2023-05-21

Final reportERA23FA239
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Date
2023-05-21
Location
Palm City, FL, USA
Airport
64FA
Aircraft
COMMANDER AIRCRAFT CO 114TC
Registration
N6042E
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Descent

Probable cause

A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, and the pilot’s subsequent loss of control, which resulted in impact with terrain.

NTSB narrative

An eyewitness observed the accident airplane flying at low altitude before the engine made an unusual noise and stopped producing power, after which the airplane entered a descending turn to the ground. The airplane was mostly consumed by a post-impact fire. The wreckage was located about 700 yards north of an airport runway, and it could not be determined if the airplane was departing or arriving at that airport when the accident occurred. Examination of the engine revealed normal compression, ignition, and fuel system function. Although the airplane’s fuel quantity at the time of the accident could not be determined due to fire damage, no blockages or anomalies were found with the remaining components of the fuel system. Examination of the wreckage confirmed flight control continuity and found no evidence of pre-impact mechanical failure. Toxicological results indicated that the pilot had used a cannabis product; however, without delta-9-THC or the psychoactive metabolite of delta-9-THC detected in blood, it is unlikely that the pilot was experiencing significant impairing acute psychoactive effects of cannabis at the time of the accident. Although the circumstances of the accident are consistent with a loss of engine power, the reason for the loss of power could not be determined, as postaccident examination did not reveal any evidence of a mechanical malfunction or anomaly. The descending turn before impact as described by the witness was consistent with an aerodynamic stall and loss of control, likely as a result of the pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed following the loss of engine power.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted the flight after noticing engine issues.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents8

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