History of Flight
On March 5, 2009, at 1320 eastern daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built Glenn Moore Moronca, registration N404AF, sustained substantial damage when it impacted terrain during a forced landing about one mile southeast of Stag Park (7NC1) in Burgaw, North Carolina. The owner/pilot succumbed to his injuries later that day. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
The airplane crashed into a small, freshly plowed field near the property owner's house. The property owner reported hearing the engine sputter before the impact, but did not see the airplane until after the crash. A member of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) chapter to which the pilot belonged stated that six weeks before the accident, the pilot reported that the airplane's engine had cut out. After examining the fuel system, the pilot told the EAA member that he found debris in the tank and would "keep an eye on it."
Aircraft Information
The amateur-built airplane was issued an experimental airworthiness certificate on April 12, 2008. It was powered by a Continental C-65-8, 65-horsepower engine. The fuselage was primarily Aeronca, with wings and landing gear system designed by the pilot. A review of the airplane's logbook showed a total of 47.21 hours since construction. Its last inspection, a conditional inspection, occurred on November 28, 2008, and the airplane flew seven hours between that inspection and the accident.
Meteorological Information
The nearest weather observation facility was Wilmington International Airport, 15 miles south. A METAR issued at 1353 EDT reported wind from 110 degrees at 8 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, clear skies, temperature 12°C, dew point -5°C, and altimeter 30.50 inches of mercury.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The airplane crashed into a soft, recently plowed field about one nautical mile southeast of its departure point. Trees near the field displayed fresh breaks and tears indicating impact during descent. Thirteen yards behind the airplane was a large crater where the nose had first impacted. This area contained the destroyed propeller. The crossbar where the pilot's shoulder harness was attached had ripped away, and the landing gear was torn from the airplane. Both wings suffered tree impact damage. The fuel system gascolator was found five yards behind the aircraft; residual fuel was in the tanks, and a strong scent of fuel was present. The oil tank, engine air intake, and carburetor were crushed. A post-crash assessment by EAA members found small contaminant particles within the fuel tank's drained fitting that supplied fuel to the engine. The fuel tank was cut open, revealing interior deterioration and flaking.
Medical and Pathological Information
A postmortem examination conducted by the Coastal Pathology Associates Office in Jacksonville, North Carolina, determined the cause of death as blunt force trauma. The toxicology report was negative for ethanol.