History of Flight
On April 5, 2014, at about 1359 eastern daylight time, a Fortuna Sonex, registration N229P, was substantially damaged during a forced landing in a heavily wooded area approximately 2.0 nautical miles south-southwest of Marion County Airport (X35) in Dunnellon, Florida. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was fatally injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual under 14 CFR Part 91 as a personal flight destined for Zephyrhills Municipal Airport (ZPH), Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated about 1357.
Personnel at X35 reported that during taxi from the parking spot after power application, the canopy opened violently, bending the frame but not detaching it. The engine was secured, and the pilot exited, stating he forgot to latch it. The canopy was closed and latched in the taxi position. The pilot was advised to check the canopy before takeoff and return if it did not secure. The engine was restarted, and the pilot taxied to runway 28, performed an engine run-up, and departed between 1353 and 1358. The climb out and speed appeared normal. The airplane made a crosswind turn to the south, leveled its wings, and went out of view about 5 minutes later flying south.
A pilot who departed X35 about 7 minutes earlier reported no radio calls from the accident pilot.
On April 7, 2014, about 1030, an individual at the destination airport contacted the departure airport, advising the airplane had not arrived. The Marion County Sheriff's Office was contacted, and the X35 airport manager relayed the departure circumstances. The Civil Air Patrol was notified at 1300 EDT and initiated a search. Searches were conducted by multiple agencies, including the Civil Air Patrol, sheriff departments from Citrus, Marion, Hernando, Sumter, and Lake City counties, Marion County Fire Rescue, and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Ground and aerial searches were negative, and no emergency locator transmitter (ELT) signal was received. Additional searches were performed by the pilot's son and other pilots, but the wreckage was not found.
On October 19, 2014, an individual walking in the area spotted the wreckage and contacted law enforcement.
Aircraft and Wreckage Information
The amateur-built Sonex airplane was manufactured in 2001, serial number 018. It was powered by a Jabiru 2200 engine with a fixed-pitch Sensenich propeller. The fuel system included a single fuel tank forward of the firewall. The accident airplane's fuel supply had a shutoff valve at the tank outlet and an additional valve on the instrument panel. The pilot's son reported that maintenance records were not located, but a logbook entry from 2011 referenced a condition inspection dated April 2, 2013.
The wreckage was located in the Halpata Tastanaki Preserve. Debris was scattered over an area; the farthest piece was a checklist about 450 feet from the main wreckage. The main wreckage was inverted on a heading of approximately 268 degrees. Examination revealed the engine was separated and inverted forward of the main wreckage, with heat damage. Flight control continuity was confirmed. The fuel shutoff valve at the instrument panel was in the OFF position. The canopy was fragmented but still attached by the right hinge. The ELT was found separated from its mounting bracket, with the switch off. Testing revealed weak signal output, and the ELT had an expired battery date.
Examination of the fuel supply line from the instrument panel shutoff valve to the firewall fitting revealed severe pitting corrosion, with significant material removal from the tube and fittings. A hole and cracks were consistent with corrosion penetration. The engine-driven fuel pump, ignition components, and alternator were heat damaged, precluding testing. The No. 3 cylinder showed no suction and compression, and ring gaps were nearly aligned. The carburetor was dirt contaminated and had internal corrosion.
Meteorological Information
A surface observation at Ocala Municipal Airport (OCF) at 1350, about 9 minutes before the accident, reported wind from 190 degrees at 6 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, broken clouds at 3,300 feet, temperature 27°C, dew point 17°C, altimeter 30.04 inHg. The accident site was about 12 nautical miles and 225 degrees from OCF.
Medical and Pathological Information
A postmortem examination of the pilot's remains listed the cause of death as "Multiple blunt force injuries due to airplane crash." Forensic toxicology testing was not performed.
Flight Recorders and GPS Data
The airplane was equipped with an electronic tachometer, an Engine Information System, a Garmin GPSmap 396 receiver, and a Garmin D2 Pilot watch. GPS data showed the flight began at 1351:00, with taxi and takeoff. The airplane climbed to a maximum GPS altitude of 817 feet mean sea level (msl). After 1359:16, it descended to 804 feet msl, then made a right 270-degree turn before continuing south. The last GPS target at 1359:53 was at 154 feet msl on a southerly heading at 105 knots groundspeed, about 0.11 nautical mile from the accident site.
Search and Rescue
During the search, multiple agencies participated, but coordination issues were noted. The wreckage was located beneath an area that had been aerially searched.