History of Flight
On October 7, 2008, at approximately 1715 Pacific daylight time, an Iniziative Industriali Italian Sky Arrow 600 Sport, special light sport airplane (S-LSA) N454SA, struck the Pacific Ocean near Malibu, California. The aircraft was operated by Northfield Aviation LLC under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The certified flight instructor (CFI) and a private pilot undergoing instruction (PUI) were on board. The flight originated from Santa Monica, California, about 1640 as a local instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed; no flight plan was filed.
Witnesses observed the airplane flying low over the water, then entering a steep left turn. They saw the airplane nose over and hit the ocean.
First responders rescued both pilots and transported them to a trauma center. Both pilots stated to first responders that no mechanical malfunctions or failures occurred during the flight.
In a written statement, the PUI reported flying north along the coast without issues. He recalled returning toward Santa Monica at about 1,000 feet offshore, straight and level. His next memory was being in the water.
Personnel Information
The PUI occupied the front seat; the CFI was in the rear seat. Both were taken to area hospitals. The PUI was released on October 14, 2008. The CFI remained hospitalized and died from his injuries on October 24, 2008.
Aircraft Information
The Sky Arrow 600 Sport, serial number LSA012, was manufactured in 2000. It was a tandem two-seat, certified special LSA. The airframe had 123.8 hours total time at the last 100-hour inspection on August 28, 2008. Northfield Aviation LLC acquired the aircraft on August 28, 2007. A Special Airworthiness Certificate as a Light Sport Airplane was issued on November 4, 2006, after FAA Designated Airworthiness Representative verification of ASTM standards.
Wreckage and Impact Information
Lifeguards reported the aircraft struck the water about 50 yards offshore. The National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge and an FAA inspector examined the wreckage. The aircraft was equipped with a three-point harness restraint system. The rear bulkhead behind the aft seat had completely separated from the fuselage. The restraint webbing showed no signs of distress or damage.
Medical and Pathological Information
Medical records from the University of California, Los Angeles Medical Center documented the CFI's injuries: carotid artery dissection, bilateral subdural hematoma, frontal subarachnoid hemorrhage and edema, fractures of T11, L4, left first rib, lateral left third to fifth ribs, a substernal hematoma to the right anterior third rib, and head and chest injuries.
Tests and Research
On October 9, 2008, investigators examined the wreckage at Aircraft Recovery Service. The engine was inspected with no anomalies found. After desalination, the engine was started and ran normally without adjustments.
A handheld Garmin GPSMAP 496 was recovered and sent to the NTSB Vehicle Recorders Division. Data showed the flight lasted 46 minutes. The final GPS position at 1712:48 was N34°02.295', W118°39.960', at -6 feet GPS altitude (approximately 10 feet mean sea level after correction). Last recorded groundspeed was 61 mph on a true heading of 319°.
Additional Information
The investigation revealed that the airplane was designed without a lap belt; the shoulder harness connected to the crotch strap. At certification, ASTM standard F2245 required a seat belt and harness for each occupant. Twenty-two Sky Arrow airplanes were manufactured without a lap belt. Although a retrofit is not required, the manufacturer and FAA encouraged installation. Some owners voluntarily upgraded. The FAA stated that the original standard intended both shoulder harness and lap belt, and all new S-LSAs now require both; ASTM standards are being clarified.