History of Flight
On October 9, 2009, at 1354 mountain standard time, an experimental Cruz SE5A Replica biplane, registered N3944U, crashed into a scrap metal yard about half a mile north of the airport shortly after takeoff from Phoenix Deer Valley Airport in Phoenix, Arizona. The pilot, the sole occupant, was killed. The airplane was operated under Part 91 as a personal flight and was borrowed by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed.
One witness reported hearing an unfamiliar engine sound and observed the airplane depart runway 25L at an altitude of approximately 150 to 200 feet in a normal climb attitude. The airplane made a left crosswind turn but then rolled into a right spin. The witness estimated about 2.5 rotations before seeing a cloud of smoke, with the airplane reaching about 500 feet. The engine seemed to be running smoothly and producing takeoff power.
Another witness in a parking lot saw the airplane at low altitude, no more than 100 feet, passing overhead in westbound level flight. The airplane then pitched up, made an erratic right turn, exited the turn in a nose-up attitude, flew another 100 feet, and entered a nose-down spin until impact.
Personnel Information
The 37-year-old pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single- and multi-engine land and instrument airplane, as well as a certified flight instructor (CFI) certificate with similar ratings. His first-class medical certificate issued on August 25, 2009, had no limitations or waivers. According to FAA medical records, he reported 270 total flight hours with 55 hours in the previous six months.
Aircraft Information
The airplane was an experimental, amateur-built 1986 Cruz SE5A Replica biplane, serial number 074140. It was powered by a Teledyne Continental Motors O-200-A piston engine, serial number 67901-7-A. The aircraft owner, the pilot's father, stated that this was the pilot's first flight in the airplane and that all maintenance records were onboard at the time of the accident. The airplane was refueled with 6.1 gallons of fuel on October 3, 2009.
Communications
The pilot was in contact with the Deer Valley airport traffic control tower. The local controller cleared the pilot for takeoff with a straight-out restriction, then approved a right turn at the departure end. The pilot's transmission was unintelligible, and the controller reissued the right-turn instruction. The controller then observed the airplane make a right turn and descend about half a mile west of the airport. Two additional controllers observed the airplane in a spin before impact.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The accident site was located 1.5 miles west of the departure end of runway 25L at Deer Valley Airport, in a scrap metal yard. The airplane was thermally consumed by the post-impact fire. FAA inspectors identified all flight control hardware.
Medical and Pathological Information
An autopsy performed by the Maricopa Office of the Medical Examiner on October 13, 2009, listed the cause of death as blunt force head trauma and thermal injury. Toxicological testing by the FAA Forensic Toxicology Research Team found no carbon monoxide, cyanide, volatiles, or tested drugs.
Tests and Research
FAA inspectors and a representative from Teledyne Continental Motors inspected the airframe and engine. Visual examination revealed no obvious mechanical malfunctions. The crankshaft was pushed aft, and the engine could not be rotated by hand. Disassembly showed damage to the crankshaft propeller flange, main bearings, oil slinger ring, and gear cluster, but no abnormalities that would prevent normal operation and production of rated horsepower.