History of Flight
On September 9, 2013, at approximately 1300 Alaska daylight time, an experimental light sport (E-LSA) homebuilt Zenith CH-701, registration N701MG, sustained substantial damage following a loss of control and impact with terrain about 4 miles northwest of Big Lake, Alaska. The private pilot was fatally injured; the sole passenger sustained serious injuries. The flight was conducted under visual flight rules as a personal local flight, with no flight plan filed. It departed Kucera Residence Airport, Big Lake, at about 1218.
According to a family member, a large grizzly bear had been leaving tracks on the family's private runway. After a report that the bear was protecting a moose kill in the area, the pilot decided to search for the bear from the air. The surviving passenger did not provide a statement.
Personnel Information
The 66-year-old pilot held a private pilot certificate with an airplane single-engine land rating. He did not possess an FAA medical certificate, which was not required for operating an E-LSA. No personal flight logbooks were located.
Aircraft Information
The Zenith CH-701 was an experimental amateur-built aircraft. The pilot purchased it as a partially completed kit in June 2009 and completed it, receiving an FAA experimental airworthiness certificate on June 17, 2010. It was powered by a Rotax 912 ULS engine (100 hp). Maintenance logbooks were not available.
Meteorological Information
A routine weather report from Birchwood Airport, about 17 miles southeast, at 1256 indicated: wind 230° at 3 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, clear skies, temperature 55°F, dew point 50°F, altimeter 29.70 inHg.
Wreckage and Impact Information
Examination on September 10 revealed the airplane impacted in a near-vertical attitude in an area of dead spruce trees at about 200 ft elevation. The wreckage came to rest upright in a nose-low attitude on fallen trees and branches, on a heading of approximately 290°. All major components were at the main wreckage site. The cockpit was extensively damaged; the throttle was near full forward and the ignition switch in the "both" position. The left wing showed spanwise leading edge crushing; flaperons remained attached. The right wing was displaced forward about 45° and separated near the rear attach point; flaperons partially separated. The empennage remained attached with no impact damage. The propeller hub was attached; one blade was undamaged, another bent and gouged, and the third showed light scratching. Flight control continuity was verified. No mechanical malfunctions or failures were found that would have precluded normal operation.
Medical and Pathological Information
A postmortem examination attributed the pilot's death to multiple blunt force injuries. Toxicology tests were negative for carbon monoxide and ethanol but detected unspecified levels of yohimbine (a prescription medication for erectile dysfunction) in blood and urine, and isoproterenol (typically used in resuscitation or asthma treatment) in urine. No personal medical records were located.
Engine Test
On November 7, the engine was test-run at the departure airport. It started without hesitation and ran to full throttle with no anomalies noted, indicating it could produce rated power and operate normally.