Accident Details
On October 10, 2015, at 1400 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172S, registration N5295Y, sustained substantial damage after a loss of control during a low altitude maneuver near Seville, Florida. The commercial pilot and pilot-rated passenger received serious injuries, while the rear-seated passenger was fatally injured. The aircraft was registered to Mike Bravo LLC and operated under 14 CFR Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The local flight departed from Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB) at 1300.
Pilot Statement
According to the pilot, while flying at approximately 600-650 feet above ground level (agl) at 75 knots with 20° of flaps, the airplane suddenly “fell out from under” him. It lost 300-350 feet of altitude within seconds. He applied full power but the airplane continued to sink. He maneuvered toward a clearing to avoid trees but lost control and collided with the ground.
Operator Account
The operator reported that the pilot called twice on the day of the accident. The pilot explained that he had brought one passenger, then picked up another. The flight’s intent was to drop boxes south of Lake Crescent at a campsite managed by St. Johns River Water Management District. The pilot stated he was aware that dropping objects was prohibited but had coordinated with people on the ground. At the campsite, he descended to between 300 and 600 feet agl with 20° of flaps and slowed to 75 knots. After successfully dropping several boxes, during the final drop the airplane encountered a downdraft and lost altitude. The pilot attempted recovery but impacted trees and terrain.
Aircraft Examination
A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the airframe and engine and found no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Weather Conditions
Weather reported at DAB at 1453 included scattered towering cumulus clouds at 3,500 feet, scattered clouds at 5,000 and 7,500 feet, and a broken ceiling at 25,000 feet. Winds were from 060° at 6 knots. Towering cumulus clouds were noted to the south, and cumulonimbus clouds were observed to the east, southwest, and northwest. DAB was 23 nautical miles southeast of the accident site.
National Weather Service radar imagery for the period showed isolated echoes associated with rain showers approximately 5 miles west and 10 miles southwest of the accident site, near Georgetown and Aster, Florida, with a small intense echo area immediately east of DAB.
A North American Mesoscale Model sounding for the area suggested potential for strong low-level thermal activity and an unstable atmosphere, with expected cloud development near 3,000 feet agl. The sounding did not indicate low-level turbulence or windshear.