Pilot Debrief

CRIQUET AVIATION BOGOTA COLUMB STORCH FI-156 near Fordsville, KY — 2016-05-30

Final reportERA16LA201
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Date
2016-05-30
Location
Fordsville, KY, USA
Aircraft
CRIQUET AVIATION BOGOTA COLUMB STORCH FI-156
Registration
N429BB
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1

Probable cause

The steep descent to ground impact for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.

NTSB narrative

The private pilot, who was exercising sport pilot privileges, departed on a personal flight in his recently purchased experimental, amateur-built airplane, and, when he did not arrive at his intended destination, a search was initiated. The wreckage was spotted 2 days later in a heavily wooded area about 6.7 nautical miles from the departure airport. Examination of the accident site revealed damage to trees consistent with a steep descent to ground impact, with no evidence of any bird remains in the vicinity wreckage area. The airplane sustained extensive thermal damage from a postcrash fire; however, examination of the remaining portions of the airframe, flight controls, engine, and engine accessories revealed no evidence of pre-impact failure or malfunction. The pilot had undergone 4-vessel coronary artery bypass grafting and had a history of hypertension and high cholesterol, which placed him at increased risk for an acute cardiac event such as another heart attack, angina, or an arrhythmia that could have cause symptoms ranging from chest pain and shortness of breath to palpitations and loss of consciousness. However, it could not be determined from the limited information available from the autopsy whether he was impaired or incapacitated at the time of the accident. Therefore, the reason for the steep descent could not be determined based on available evidence.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have chosen to file a flight plan or communicate intentions before departure.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents8

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