Flight History
On September 6, 2009, about 1718 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Blum Aventura II, registration N6301M, crashed about 1 mile north-northwest of the departure end of runway 05 at Boca Raton Airport (BCT), Boca Raton, Florida. The flight originated from BCT about 1711 as a local personal flight under 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed.
According to communications with the Boca Raton Airport Air Traffic Control Tower, at 1659:39 the pilot contacted the tower and was cleared to taxi to runway 5. At 1709:51, he advised he was ready to depart and wanted to remain in the traffic pattern at 500 feet for full stop takeoffs and landings. At 1711:38, the controller cleared the pilot for takeoff with wind from 130 degrees at 8 knots. After takeoff, the flight remained in the pattern. At about 1715, the controller cleared the pilot for a touch-and-go landing and informed him the wind was from 130 degrees at 8 knots. There was no further communication.
The controller observed the pilot turn onto the crosswind leg, then saw the airplane descend below the tree line. Witnesses reported seeing the wings rock, a steep turn, followed by the nose pitching down. The airplane impacted the ground near the intersection of South Congress Avenue and Yamato Road.
Personnel Information
The pilot, age 78, held a private pilot certificate with an airplane single-engine land rating issued September 29, 2005, and a special issuance third-class medical certificate issued February 7, 2005, expiring September 30, 2005. He listed a total time of 155 hours. His logbook showed 4 flights totaling 4.3 hours between April 19 and May 10, 2009. His daughter reported he was unavailable to fly for June, July, and early August 2009.
Aircraft Information
The amphibious amateur-built Aventura 2 airplane was manufactured by the pilot in October 1999, serial number AP2A0037. It was powered by a 64-horsepower Rotax 582 dual-carburetor engine with a composite propeller. The last condition inspection was performed November 25, 2008, at a tachometer reading of 107.5 hours; the accident tachometer time was 110.1 hours.
Meteorological Information
A special surface observation at BCT at 1720 indicated wind from 130 degrees at 10 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, clear skies, temperature 29°C, dew point 24°C, and altimeter 30.01 inches of mercury.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The airplane crashed approximately 0.6 nautical mile at 351 degrees from the departure end of runway 05. The airplane was found inverted. The ballistic recovery system (BRS) parachute was not deployed and was disabled. The cockpit area was twisted and collapsed. Control cables were attached at their respective points. Fuel was noted in lines and carburetor.
Post-recovery examination revealed extensive impact damage to both wings. Flight control continuity was confirmed for pitch and yaw. The left aileron control was fractured near the control stick; the right aileron control was fractured near the control surface. The flap actuator extended 4.375 inches, but no flap setting determination was made.
Engine examination revealed the propeller attached but all blades fractured at two locations. No modification evidence was found. The engine had a 300-hour or 5-year TBO; it was imported June 1997. All but one spark plug were broken. Spark plugs showed color consistent with an excessively rich fuel-to-air ratio. Gaps were .020 inch (specification). Functional ignition testing showed spark at all exemplar plugs. No evidence of overheating or cooling malfunction. The oil injection system was disabled.
Carburetor examination found the needle clip of each carburetor installed on top of the spring cup rather than below it, as depicted in the illustrated parts catalog. The engine manufacturer representative reported this would cause excessive fuel burn in mid-range, consistent with black spark plugs.
Medical and Pathological Information
A postmortem examination determined the cause of death as "Multiple Blunt Force Injuries." Forensic toxicology tested negative for carbon monoxide, cyanide, volatiles, and drugs.
Survival Aspects
The airplane was equipped with a BRS parachute that was not deployed. The data plate indicated the parachute was built in December 1997 and was not valid after December 2001.