History of Flight
On October 15, 2012, at about 0515 Pacific daylight time, a light sport Aeropro CZ A240 airplane, registration N72AH, impacted terrain near Half Moon Bay, California. The sport pilot was operating under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot sustained fatal injuries, and the airplane sustained substantial damage during the accident sequence and post-impact fire. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The cross-country personal flight departed Half Moon Bay Airport at about 0513, with a planned destination of Apple Valley Airport, Apple Valley, California.
The airplane did not reach its destination at the expected time, prompting an Alert Notice from the FAA. A search by the Civil Air Patrol and Coast Guard located the wreckage the morning of October 16, about 400 yards west of HAF on a west-facing slope of Pillar Point Bluffs, which overlook and parallel the runway.
Personnel Information
The 75-year-old pilot held a sport pilot certificate with an endorsement for airplane single-engine land. His most recent FAA medical certificate was issued in March 1985, with a requirement to wear corrective lenses for near and distant vision. According to the FAA, he was medically eligible to fly as a light sport pilot if he held a valid driver's license and complied with 14 CFR 61.53. His last medical application, filed March 7, 1985, reported 157 total flight hours with 28 hours in the preceding 6 months. On January 17, 1992, he voluntarily surrendered his Mechanic-Powerplant; Private Pilot-Single Engine Land and Glider-Aero Tow; and Senior Parachute Rigger certificates due to failing eyesight. The pilot's logbook last entry was August 29, 2012, showing 822.6 total flight hours.
Aircraft Information
The airplane was a light sport Aeropro CZ, serial number 32511. The aircraft logbook reported 122.7 total airframe hours at the most recent annual inspection; the last entry showed 144.9 hours. The engine was a Rotax 912ULS, serial number 6777485, with 122.7 hours at the last annual inspection. The oil and filter were changed at 144.9 hours. Fueling records from Half Moon Bay Airport showed the airplane was last fueled on October 9, 2012, at 1703 with about 13 gallons of 100LL fuel. Post-accident fuel testing at HAF fueling facilities found no contaminants.
Meteorological Information
An aviation routine weather report at HAF near the accident time (0555 PDT) indicated wind from 360° at 6 knots, visibility 3/4 mile with mist, overcast ceiling at 300 feet, temperature 13°C, dew point 13°C, and altimeter 30.08 inHg.
Wreckage and Impact Information
NTSB and FAA investigators examined the wreckage at the scene. The first identified point of contact was a 35-foot-long pattern of broken brush and limbs, paralleled by a 15-foot swath. A red lens assembly was found near the FIPC. The pattern and swath led uphill to a 5-foot-diameter principal impact crater, with multiple propeller blade fragments nearby. The main wreckage rested further uphill, surrounded by undamaged trees and bushes about 10 feet tall. Thermal damage was confined to the main wreckage, not found in the debris path. Aileron control continuity was established through damaged control rods. Rudder control cables were continuous and attached. Elevator control rods were separated at mid-section supports.
Additional Information
Radar data from Northern California TRACON recorded ten targets with altitudes varying from 600 to 1,100 feet msl near the accident time. After departing HAF, the target entered a climbing left turn. After a 90-degree arc at the highest altitude of 1,100 feet msl, it continued descending left turn, with the last target toward HAF near the accident site. FAA Advisory Circular 60-4A on pilot spatial disorientation notes that obscured surface references or horizon can lead to dangerous attitudes.
Medical and Pathological Information
Toxicological testing of pilot specimens by the FAA Bioaeronautical Sciences Research Laboratory detected Warfarin, an anticoagulant. No ethanol was detected. Tests for carbon monoxide or cyanide were not performed.
Tests and Research
The engine was examined at Plain Parts, Sacramento, California on October 25, 2012. No mechanical malfunctions or anomalies were found in engine components.