History of Flight
On August 18, 2010, at approximately 1110 eastern daylight time, an experimental light sport Maxair MU 582 Drifter, registration N582RH, sustained substantial damage when it struck the ground shortly after takeoff from First Lake, near Old Forge, New York. The certificated private pilot was fatally injured, and the passenger incurred minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.
According to a statement from the passenger to the New York State Police, the pilot intended to fly to the opposite end of the lake to meet family members. After fueling and taxiing about three-quarters down the lake, the pilot oriented the aircraft into the wind and began takeoff. The airplane climbed within 300 feet, but as it approached a line of trees on the shore, the pilot remarked, "this isn't good," and instructed the passenger to "hang on" while banking steeply to the right. The passenger reported that the aircraft lost forward momentum and entered a free fall. The engine continued operating until impact. The passenger estimated the airplane fell from approximately 100 feet and struck the ground nose-down in a swampy area.
Two other witnesses provided similar accounts to the New York State Police. They observed the airplane taxi north, then turn and begin a takeoff to the south. It climbed to about 100 feet above the ground, and as it reached a tree line, it banked right. One witness described the airplane as "completely sideways" before it "did a nose dive" into a swamp.
Personnel Information
FAA records indicated the pilot held a private pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land and sea. The most recent third-class medical certificate was issued in August 1998, at which time the pilot reported 3,000 total hours of flight experience.
Aircraft Information
The airplane was manufactured in 1989 and certificated as an experimental light sport aircraft in 2007. Maintenance records were not recovered. Operating limitations showed an empty weight of 473 pounds and a listed gross weight of 1,150 pounds.
Meteorological Information
The 1053 recorded weather at Griffiss International Airport in Rome, New York, about 36 nautical miles southwest of the accident site, included calm winds, clear skies, 10 statute miles visibility, temperature 19°C, dewpoint 16°C, and an altimeter setting of 30.10 inches of mercury. The calculated density altitude was 2,654 feet.
Wreckage and Impact Information
An FAA inspector examined the aircraft at the scene. Control continuity could not be confirmed due to disassembly by first responders for pilot extrication. The engine crankshaft was rotated by hand, and compression was confirmed on all cylinders. All spark plugs appeared normal, and residual fuel was present in the fuel lines from the tanks to the carburetor.
Medical and Pathological Information
A postmortem examination of the pilot was conducted by the Herkimer County Coroner. Toxicological testing performed by the FAA's Bioaeronautical Sciences Research Laboratory tested negative for carbon monoxide, cyanide, and ethanol, but positive for the drug Metoprolol.
Additional Information
The estimated weight of the airplane at the time of the accident, assuming a combined pilot and passenger weight of 400 pounds, fuel weight of 90 pounds, and installed float weight of 116 pounds, was 1,079 pounds.