Accident Summary
On July 11, 2009, about 1300 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Barber SHA Glasair RG, N132JB, was destroyed when it impacted terrain while maneuvering near Switzerland, Florida. The certificated airline transport pilot/owner and the commercial pilot-rated passenger were fatally injured. The personal flight was operated under 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed.
The pilot/owner of a Nanchang CJ6 reported that he and the accident pilot departed Herlong Airport (HEG), Jacksonville, Florida, in formation to Haller Airpark (7FL4), Green Cove Springs, for an EAA meeting. After the meeting, the accident pilot flew to Palatka Municipal Airport (28J) to pick up his passenger, then returned north. They joined the CJ6 and two other airplanes for a photo opportunity above 7FL4. After the photo passes, the CJ6 and the accident airplane proceeded north in formation along the St. Johns River.
The CJ6 pilot requested and the accident pilot agreed to demonstrate a "breakup and re-join" maneuver, then a "shackle turn" maneuver. During the shackle turn, the CJ6 initiated a left turn with the accident airplane 800-1,000 feet off its left side. The accident airplane passed behind and above, repositioning to the right. When it was 500-600 feet to the right, the CJ6 began a right turn to resume eastbound heading, and the CJ6 pilot lost sight of the accident airplane. Radio congestion from other aircraft hindered communications. After not hearing a response, the CJ6 pilot searched the area but saw no smoke or crash site.
Two boat witnesses observed the airplanes. One saw them flying side by side, then the smaller airplane descending steeply in a "spiraling" motion before disappearing behind trees, with no smoke or fire. Another witness saw the airplanes performing turns and a barrel roll; the smaller airplane entered a cloud, emerged nose-down and right-wing-down, spiraled for about three turns, and then the tail appeared to "snap" or "chase after the nose" before disappearing behind trees.
The next morning, the FAA issued a missing airplane notice. A search by pilots detected an emergency locator transmitter signal, and the wreckage was found in a remote wooded area just west of an abandoned airfield near Switzerland, Florida.
Personnel Information
The pilot/owner held an airline transport pilot certificate with multiengine and turbojet ratings, and a flight engineer certificate. He had type ratings in B-767, B-757, and CE-500. His most recent FAA second-class medical was issued July 2008, reporting 11,611 total hours. His last flight review was January 2009. According to the CJ6 pilot, they had been U.S. Navy squadron mates. The pilot's logbook showed he flew the accident airplane for about 5 hours in 2007, 34 hours in 2008, and 37 hours through June 20, 2009.
The Florida District 23 Medical Examiner autopsy reported cause of death as blunt force trauma, with negative alcohol and drug tests. CAMI toxicology was negative for carbon monoxide, cyanide, ethanol, and screened drugs. On-scene evidence indicated the pilot was in the left seat.
The passenger held a private pilot certificate with single-engine land/sea ratings, a commercial certificate with glider rating, and an experimental aircraft builder repairman certificate. His logbook showed about 898 hours, with the most recent logged flight and flight review on March 7, 2009. His FAA third-class medical was issued April 2008. Autopsy also reported blunt force trauma and negative alcohol/drug tests. CAMI detected amlodipine and diphenhydramine in liver and urine.
Aircraft Information
The airplane was a two-place, side-by-side, low-wing composite monoplane built in 1992. It was equipped with retractable tricycle landing gear, a Solair/Lycoming IO-320 engine, and a two-bladed constant-speed Hartzell propeller. It had a 10-gallon header tank and a 53-gallon main tank. The Owner's Manual stated the aircraft was capable of aerobatics but advised pilots to never attempt maneuvers below 3,000 feet AGL and warned against intentional spins. It also noted stall characteristics were predictable with mandatory stall strips.
Meteorological Information
The 1253 weather observation at Jacksonville Naval Air Station (13 miles north) reported wind from 080 degrees at 14 knots gusting 19 knots, 10 miles visibility, broken clouds at 3,200 feet with towering cumulus, temperature 30°C, dew point 21°C, and altimeter 30.19 inches. Towering cumulus and rain showers were noted to the southeast and northeast.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The debris field was about 75 feet long with minimal vegetation disturbance. Tree and ground scars indicated a steep descent on a southerly heading. The airplane was highly fragmented. Landing gear were retracted. No fuel evidence or fire was present. The engine-driven fuel pump contained a trace amount of fuel. The propeller blades showed aft bending and paint burnishing consistent with engine rotation at impact. The ELT was still transmitting when FAA inspectors arrived.
A Garmin GPSMap 496 unit recorded three flights on the accident day. The accident flight (Flight 2) had 10 data points between 1635:05 and 1656:13, with GPS altitudes in the vicinity of the witnesses ranging from about 600 to 1,700 feet. The pilot had altered the data capture algorithm, resulting in low-frequency recording.
Post-recovery examination revealed no pre-impact anomalies or failures. The engine had thumb compression on all cylinders, spark from the magneto, and gear train continuity. Control system components were found with various fractures and bends, consistent with impact forces.
Probable Cause
The source does not provide a probable cause for the accident.