History of Flight
On January 9, 2010, about 1308 Pacific standard time, an experimental weight-shift-control Airborne Streak 2, registration N155TD, collided with terrain near Lake Isabella, California. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The pilot, who did not possess a pilot certificate, and one passenger were killed; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The local personal flight departed at an unknown time. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed.
Several witnesses observed the airplane flying during the morning. One described it buzzing the lake and performing maneuvers that seemed dangerous. Estimates of altitude varied between 300 and 500 feet above ground level. One witness thought the engine stopped; another did not hear the engine. All reported seeing one wing fold up.
Another witness reported that a neighbor flew with the pilot the day before and the pilot did not use seat belts.
One witness observed the airplane performing aerobatic maneuvers like a stunt plane all day. The pilot appeared to attempt loops and made numerous nose-high and nose-low maneuvers. The pilot would point the nose toward the ground and then pull up at the last moment to a high nose-up attitude. The witness estimated the maximum altitude for all maneuvers was 300 feet above ground level. He thought the airplane landed and then returned to maneuver again.
The witness observed the airplane in level flight. The nose went down steeply 45–90 degrees and then started going up. Just after the nose went above the horizon, the right wing folded up. The engine cut out, and the airplane descended in a free fall and began to spiral. No birds or other objects were near the airplane.
Personnel Information
A Federal Aviation Administration inspector reported that the 31-year-old pilot did not hold a pilot certificate or aviation medical certificate.
Aircraft Information
The airplane was an experimental Airborne Streak 2, serial number ST261, with a Rotax 582DCDI engine. No logbooks or maintenance records for the airframe or engine were recovered.
The FAA provided an application for an airworthiness certificate dated July 19, 2007; the application was not made by the accident pilot, who was the current owner. The form indicated the airplane had a total time of 235 hours. The FAA issued an airworthiness certificate on August 19, 2007.
Issued with the airworthiness certificate were experimental operating limitations for light sport aircraft. Item 15 prohibited aerobatic flight, defined as an intentional maneuver involving an abrupt change in attitude, an abnormal attitude, or abnormal acceleration not necessary for normal flight. Item 16 provided options for minimum pilot certificates to act as pilot-in-command.
Wreckage and Impact Information
Several FAA inspectors examined the wreckage at the accident site. The wing spar buckled near the forward point where the tubular spar attached to the wing keel. The spar was partially flattened, and the fracture surface was angular and jagged.
Control continuity was established for all flight controls. The pilot did not appear to be wearing a seat belt; one side of the lap belt was tucked in at the left side of the seat.
Medical and Pathological Information
The Kern County Coroner completed an autopsy. The FAA Forensic Toxicology Research Team performed toxicological testing of the pilot’s specimens. Tests for carbon monoxide or cyanide were not performed.
The report found: amphetamine (0.12 ug/ml in liver, 0.07 ug/ml in kidney); diazepam (0.026 ug/ml in liver); methamphetamine (0.628 ug/ml in liver, 0.408 ug/ml in kidney); nordiazepam (0.064 ug/ml in liver, 0.037 ug/ml in kidney); tetrahydrocannabinol and its carboxylic acid in lung, liver, and kidney. Ethanol (12 mg/dL) was detected in muscle but not in brain; the report stated the ethanol was from sources other than ingestion.