History of Flight
On June 29, 2013, about 1210 Pacific daylight time, N130LD, an Ayers Less Drag Special experimental amateur-built airplane, was substantially damaged following an uncontrolled descent and impact with terrain about 1 nautical mile southwest of Oxnard Airport (OXR), Oxnard, California. The private pilot/owner in the front seat and a private pilot passenger in the rear seat both sustained fatal injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The local personal flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan.
Multiple witnesses provided statements. One witness observed the airplane take off and described the engine as "sounding odd" and not running smoothly, then it powered up, backfired, and sputtered. The witness saw the airplane bank left as if attempting to return to the airport, then the nose pitched up and it stalled before falling. Three other witnesses reported seeing the taxi and departure; one noted the engine sounded well, two had no concerns. A fifth witness saw the airplane overhead with what appeared to be a failed engine; it turned around and crashed. A sixth witness heard the engine stop, looked up, and saw it descend nose first.
Examination of the accident site by an FAA inspector revealed the airplane crashed into a plowed agricultural field about 1 mile southwest of the departure end of runway 25. The debris field was about 50 yards in diameter with no extended linear path. The initial impact point was a depression about 2 feet deep; main wreckage came to rest 6 feet east. All necessary components were accounted for.
Personnel Information
The pilot/owner, age 67, held a private pilot certificate for single-engine land. As of May 30, 2013, he had 1,129.3 total flight hours, with 140.1 hours in the same make and model. He flew 8 hours in the last 90 days and 3 hours in the last 30 days, all in the accident airplane. His most recent FAA flight review was December 27, 2011, and his third-class medical was September 14, 2011, with a limitation for near vision glasses. He held an FAA Repairman Experimental Aircraft Builder certificate issued March 5, 2010.
The pilot-rated passenger, age 54, held a private pilot certificate issued August 5, 1993. On his most recent FAA third-class medical (August 17, 2012), he reported 222 total flight hours and 3 hours in the last six months. He was required to wear corrective lenses.
Aircraft Information
The accident airplane was a single-engine, low-wing, tandem-seat, conventional gear amateur-built Less Drag Special, serial number 1. It was equipped with a Lycoming IO-540-X engine (serial number L-5444-40) and a four-bladed constant-speed propeller. The engine originally shipped August 14, 1962, as a carbureted O-540-A1D5 rated 250 hp at 2575 rpm. No data plate was affixed. A Special Airworthiness Certificate was issued March 5, 2010. The last recorded maintenance was a 12-month condition inspection on July 9, 2012, at 87.8 hours total time.
A friend of the pilot reported that the airplane had a control stick in the rear station but no rudder pedals; it had a press-to-talk intercom switch for communication.
Weight and Balance
Weight and balance data showed the CG range from 87.54 to 97.40 inches aft of datum. Calculations indicated the airplane departed at maximum gross weight, and considering pilot/passenger weights plus fuel and baggage, the CG was within limits. A friend who flew with the pilot on a cross-country in summer 2012 noted the pilot was concerned about weight and balance and removed one of two batteries from the aft baggage compartment. The friend stated no weight and balance issues occurred during that trip.
Meteorological Information
At 1151, the Oxnard ASOS reported wind 220° at 5 knots, visibility 10 miles, sky clear, temperature 24°C, dew point 16°C, altimeter 29.83 inHg.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The FAA inspector described the impact as a flat spin with no signs of a straight-in or angle crash. The initial contact was a 2-foot depression with a propeller blade embedded. The left wing showed flat-spin signatures. The empennage sustained impact and thermal damage. A composite oxygen bottle was found 75 yards south.
Medical and Pathological Information
Autopsies on both occupants performed July 1, 2013, at the Ventura County Medical Examiner's Office determined the cause of death for each as multiple blunt force injuries. Toxicology reports for the pilot/owner indicated no ethanol or drugs detected; carbon monoxide and cyanide not tested. For the pilot/passenger, carbon monoxide was detected in blood; no ethanol or drugs detected; cyanide not tested.
Tests and Research
Airframe Examination (July 28, 2013): No preaccident mechanical anomalies were found.
Engine Examination (August 6, 2013): No evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunction.
Fuel Servo Examination (February 11, 2014): Fuel control was operational; impact damage to throttle body prevented running in airbox.
Magneto Examination (August 15, 2013): Both magnetos were fire-damaged with electrical components destroyed; no test runs possible.