History of Flight
On June 21, 2014, at approximately 1700 Pacific daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Loehle Mustang 5151 (registration N518BC) was destroyed when it impacted terrain about two miles from Livermore Municipal Airport (LVK), Livermore, California. The private pilot, the sole occupant, sustained fatal injuries. The flight, operated under 14 CFR Part 91 as a personal flight, departed LVK at 1653. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.
According to air traffic control tower (ATCT) personnel at LVK, the airplane had just departed and was about two miles northeast when it pitched up sharply, banked left, and flew straight down before hitting the ground. Another controller reported seeing the airplane trailing smoke and on fire, banking left and right, then abruptly pitching up before nosing over and descending vertically. Both controllers observed something departing the airplane during the descent, which they believed was the pilot jumping.
A security camera located about half a mile southwest of the accident site captured the airplane in a steep nose dive trailing smoke, followed by impact and a large explosion.
Personnel Information
The 63-year-old pilot held a private pilot certificate with an airplane single-engine land rating. His most recent FAA third-class medical certificate was issued on January 15, 2013, with no limitations. His pilot logbook indicated a total flight experience of 830 hours, including four flights in the accident airplane during the three weeks prior to the accident.
Aircraft Information
The accident aircraft was a 2013 Loehle 5151 Mustang (serial number 5151-10873332), a low-wing, retractable conventional gear, single-passenger, experimental amateur-built airplane of primarily wood construction. It was powered by a 64-horsepower Rotax 582 UL DCDI engine (serial number 5305705) equipped with a 4-bladed Warp Drive Carbon Fiber propeller. According to the airplane logbooks, the last annual inspection was completed on March 30, 2014, at a total time of 22 hours.
In an email to the FAA dated June 8, 2014, the pilot stated that he had removed fuel filters that were causing loss of power at certain altitudes, installed an electric auxiliary fuel pump and fuel pressure gauge, and replaced all polyurethane fuel supply tubing. However, no corresponding entries were found in the airplane's maintenance logbooks.
Meteorological Information
Weather recorded at LVK at 1453 included wind from 200 degrees at 3 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, clear skies, temperature 23°C, dew point 7°C, and an altimeter setting of 29.88 inches of mercury.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The first identified point of contact (FIPC) was on north-facing sloped terrain, with impact marks consistent with a nose-down, wings-level attitude. All flight controls, wings, and fuselage were highly fragmented along a debris path approximately 330 feet long on a 358-degree magnetic heading. About 10 acres of land were burned. The pilot was located east of the debris path, about 420 feet from the FIPC.
An examination of the recovered wreckage on July 2, 2014, conducted by Rotax Aircraft Engines, the FAA, and the NTSB, found no evidence of preexisting mechanical malfunction that would have precluded normal operation. The wood structure fuselage and wings were extensively damaged; no large sections remained. Control cable continuity was established from the cabin control stick to the rudder horn. The elevator push-pull tube was separated and impact-damaged. Aileron control cables were intact to the attachment hardware; the interconnect cable was separated due to tension overload.
The seat belt buckle was not attached, and the lever handle was bent. The 12-gallon fuel tank, lines, and inline filters were not found; the header tank pickup tube was intact with a clear screen. A marine-type fuel cap was closed and secure with an intact o-ring.
The engine examination revealed that the Rotax 582UL engine was partially separated from its mount. The exhaust muffler had a 90-degree tube deformed to about 50% closure; the Y-pipe showed signs of modification. The throttle lever was in mid-range, and the choke was off. The top spark plugs had dark sooty deposits but no wear signatures. The propeller assembly separated; all four blades had delamination and rotational markings.
Medical and Pathological Information
An autopsy conducted by the Alameda County Sheriff's Office on June 24, 2014, determined the cause of death as "acute blunt and thermal trauma." Forensic toxicology performed by the FAA's Civil Aeromedical Institute detected no drugs of abuse.
Additional Information
On August 18, 2013, the pilot had made a hard landing after reporting a loss of power following takeoff during the airplane's maiden flight. That incident resulted in damage to the main landing gear and propeller.