History of Flight
On August 2, 2011, at about 1110 central daylight time, an unregistered experimental Rans S18 light sport airplane was substantially damaged when it struck the ground near a private turf airstrip in Fayetteville, Tennessee. The certificated private pilot was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.
Family members indicated that the accident flight was the pilot's initial flight in the airplane, though he had previously taxied it on the grass airstrip to become familiar with the flight controls.
Two witnesses located approximately one-quarter mile north of the north-south airstrip reported hearing an airplane that "sounded like a crop duster." They observed the airplane airborne behind trees at the departure end of the runway and noted it appeared to bank sharply left toward the runway. They lost sight of the airplane and then heard the sound of impact. The witnesses stated the engine was running "loudly" until the impact.
Personnel Information
The pilot, aged 70, held a private pilot certificate. According to his logbook, his most recent recorded flight was on August 14, 2005. A family member stated that the pilot's wife had urged him to obtain flight instruction before flying solo, given the lapse in flying activity, but he declined. The pilot's latest medical certificate was issued on June 6, 2005, at which time he reported 640 hours of flight time.
Aircraft Information
The two-seat airplane was powered by a Rotax 503 engine. Supporting documents showed the aircraft was purchased through an online auction on July 12, 2011, with a bill of sale signed on July 14, 2011. After transport, it was reassembled on the pilot's property. No maintenance logbooks were located, but the sale advertisement stated the airframe and engine had approximately 200 total hours, had always been hangared, and had previously flown under an "ultralight instructor exemption."
Meteorological and Airstrip Information
The nearest recorded weather, from an airport about 12 nautical miles south of the accident site approximately five minutes after the accident, included clear skies and calm wind.
The turf airstrip was mowed into a larger field and was partly indiscernible from its surroundings. It was oriented approximately 010/190 degrees magnetic, about 1,400 feet long, and 50 feet wide.
Wreckage and Impact
The airplane came to rest inverted about 300 feet east of the airstrip near its southern end, at approximately 35°6.29' N, 086°32.58' W. Two ground scars under the wreckage each measured about 1 foot long and were oriented toward 080 degrees magnetic.
The nose and cockpit area exhibited significant fore-to-aft crush damage. When the airplane was righted, the nose was observed bent upward about 80 degrees.
The left and right wings, vertical stabilizer, horizontal stabilizer, flaps, ailerons, and elevators remained attached to the airframe. Continuity was confirmed from all flight control surfaces to the cockpit area.
The wooden propeller remained attached to the engine, though one blade was fracture-separated opposite the direction of rotation about one-quarter of its length from the hub. The separated portion's leading edge showed gouging and chordwise scratching. The propeller rotated freely by hand, and crankshaft continuity with thumb compression on both cylinders was confirmed.
Medical and Toxicological Information
An autopsy conducted at the Tennessee Office of the Medical Examiner determined the cause of death as "multiple blunt force injuries."
Toxicological testing by the FAA Forensic Toxicology Research Team found amlodipine in blood and urine, diphenhydramine in blood and urine, and rosuvastatin in urine only. According to the National Institutes of Health, amlodipine treats high blood pressure and chest pain, diphenhydramine relieves cold or allergy symptoms, and rosuvastatin reduces cholesterol and other fatty substances in the blood.