Loss of Control in Flight · NTSB ERA23FA023
PERYERA ADVENTURA II — Miramar, FL
| Date | October 17, 2022 |
| Location | Miramar, FL |
| Aircraft | PERYERA ADVENTURA II (amateur-built) |
| Purpose of flight | Flight Test |
| Conditions | Day · Visual Meteorological Cond |
| Phase / occurrence | Uncontrolled descent Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) |
| Pilot age | 33 |
| Pilot total time | 1,700 hrs · Experienced |
| Time in type | 10 hrs |
| Fatalities | 2 |
Probable cause
NTSB findings
- Aircraft-Aircraft systems-Electrical power system-(general)-Incorrect service/maintenance
- Personnel issues-Action/decision-Info processing/decision-Decision making/judgment-Pilot
What happened
According to a witness, the pilot and passenger reported that the experimental, amateur-built airplane had experienced engine issues in the days preceding the accident. According to the airplane and engine manufacturers, the passenger had reported an intermittent in-flight loss of engine power that occurred during a previous flight (both the pilot and passenger were employees of the airplane manufacturer). The pilot and passenger had been troubleshooting the power loss, and departed on a test flight. After takeoff, the pilot acknowledged air traffic control instructions to extend on the downwind leg of the airport traffic pattern, however, there were no further communications from the pilot. The accident site was located in a residential area about 1 mile south of the departure airport.
The investigation revealed that a service bulletin issued by the engine manufacturer had not been complied with. The bulletin required the removal of an "ECU select switch" connected to the engine’s control units. During postaccident functional testing of the engine, a loss of power occurred consistent with the malfunction of the switch. After the switch was removed, the engine operated normally.