AVIAT INC A-1 — Moyock, NC

What happened

The non-certificated pilot was maneuvering his airplane over his farm fields at a low altitude; a witness observed the wings become perpendicular to the ground and the airplane's nose, which was low when the turn began, lowered further. The airplane maintained the nose-low turn until it impacted the ground, consistent with an aerodynamic stall. A witness, who had previously seen and heard the airplane flying overhead on many occasions, stated that the engine sounded "normal," with no sputtering or backfires. Onscene examination of the airplane revealed no preexisting mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane's logbooks could not be located; however, duplicate entries provided by a maintenance facility confirmed that an annual inspection was completed about 4 months earlier.

Pilot logbooks also were not located; however, other records indicated that the pilot previously held a student pilot certificate that expired in 2003. Any subsequent training could not be ascertained. The pilot acquired the airplane in 2002, and associates indicated that he flew it regularly, as often as several times a week. Autopsy results indicated that the pilot died of blunt trauma; however, the autopsy also indicated an enlarged heart, at least two and possibly three coronary bypasses, and severe coronary artery disease which could have resulted in a sudden loss of consciousness. Toxicological testing revealed the presence of a sedating antihistamine, but the quantity could not be determined. It also revealed inactive cocaine metabolites that indicated previous usage, but which likely did not contribute to the outcome. The extent to which the pilot's medical issues may have contributed to the accident (if they did at all) could not be determined.

An editorial "what led to it / how to avoid it" analysis for this accident is generated separately and will appear here.