History of Flight
On August 16, 2013, about 1600 Pacific daylight time, a special-light sport airplane, Urban Air SRO Samba XXL, N19UA, collided with flat desert terrain about 20 miles east of Carson City, Nevada. The airplane was operated by the owner under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. The flight departed from Carson Airport at an undetermined time. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. A motorist observed wreckage from the road and reported the accident site.
Personnel Information
The sport pilot, aged 72, held a sport pilot certificate issued in 2011 with an estimated total flight time of 128.8 hours, including 79.1 hours in the accident airplane make and model. The right-seat pilot had endorsements for solo flight and sport pilot airspace and airspeed. The left-seat passenger, aged 63, was a student pilot-rated passenger. FAA medical records listed 12 total flight hours as of 1983 and 0 hours in the preceding 6 months.
Aircraft Information
The two-seat, low-wing, fixed-gear airplane, serial number SA XXL 79, was manufactured in 2008. It was constructed of fiberglass and carbon fiber with side-by-side seating. Powered by a Rotax 912ULS 100 horsepower engine and equipped with a Woodcomp SR200 propeller. The airframe logbook last entry on May 29, 2013, reported 210.7 hours; the engine logbook on June 29, 2013, reported 229.4 hours after a 25-hour service. The airplane operating manual stated it was not approved for aerobatic operation and prohibited aerobatics, intentional spins, and stalls. It was equipped with a Magnum 601 ballistic recovery system; the manual described situations for its use, including loss of piloting control, and noted a minimum recommended activation altitude of 200 meters (656 feet) at a maximum airspeed of 180.2 miles per hour. The activation handle should be accessible and visible to both pilots, and the system must be unlocked before flight and locked after flight.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The airplane was found intact, resting on its belly with landing gear collapsed. The engine was displaced with the nose slightly downward. All flight control surfaces were accounted for; the horizontal stabilizer had separated from the aft empennage. Ground disturbance was limited. The pilot and passenger remained in their seats secured by seatbelts. The parachute locking pin, with a red warning flag, was secured in the activation handle, which was located on the outboard left section underneath the instrument panel.
Medical and Pathological Information
A postmortem examination of the sport pilot determined the cause of death as multiple injuries due to blunt force trauma. The autopsy also identified a low-grade malignant lymphoma and a 2 cm right occipital brain tumor. Forensic toxicology tests were negative for carbon monoxide and volatiles. Paroxetine was detected in urine but not in blood; ranitidine was detected in blood. The pilot had been prescribed paroxetine for depression, and medical records from April and June 2013 indicated depression was well controlled with no recent abnormal neurological findings, though the pilot reported fatigue of unknown source.
Tests and Research
A postaccident examination of the airplane and engine found no evidence of a preimpact mechanical malfunction that would have precluded normal operation. Flight control continuity was established. The parachute had not deployed and its cable remained connected. The engine showed no holes; drive and valve train continuity were confirmed with thumb compression in all cylinders. Propeller assembly remained connected to the engine; two of three blades separated at the hub, but blades were relatively undamaged except for one broken tip. A Garmin GPSMap 496 device recorded 35 sessions, including the accident flight. Data from 1600:28 to 1611:29 showed a square flight pattern with a left turn. The last data point at 1611:29 indicated an altitude of 4,272 feet and 0 knots at the accident site. At 1609:08, altitude was 7,743 feet at 88 knots; then altitude and groundspeed decreased progressively, with the last 41 seconds showing a descent to 4,272 feet and 0 knots.