History of Flight
On July 5, 2018, about 1345 eastern daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built Swearingen SX-300, registration N42SX, was destroyed during a runway excursion while landing at Spruce Creek Airport (7FL6), Daytona Beach, Florida. The private pilot was fatally injured, and the pilot-rated passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane was owned and operated by the pilot as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Flagler Executive Airport (FIN), Palm Coast, Florida, after the pilot and passenger had flown there for lunch about 1130 and purchased fuel.
The passenger reported that the return flight was normal. During the approach for landing, the wing flaps were down and three green landing gear lights were illuminated. The airspeed indicator showed 90 knots on final approach. Just before landing, the angle of attack indicator alarm sounded, and the passenger knew the airplane had stalled. The airplane landed hard; a loud pop was heard, and the left main landing gear fractured. The pilot initially applied full power to take off again, then reduced the throttle to idle and applied full braking. The airplane slid off the left side of the runway and collided with the precision approach path indicator lights. It continued across the grass until the right wing dug into the ground, causing the airplane to flip over and catch fire. Both occupants attempted to open the canopy, but it was jammed. The passenger tried to kick out the canopy but could not break the glass. Bystanders helped open the canopy and assisted both occupants in egress. The passenger stated there were no mechanical defects with the airplane before the accident.
A witness observed the airplane touch down, noting that the left main landing gear was trailing behind. After landing, the airplane slid off the left side of the runway, spun around, and caught fire. Airport security video showed the airplane sliding down the runway with the left main landing gear collapsed before sliding off the left side, cartwheeling, and coming to rest upright, then catching fire.
Personnel Information
The pilot held a private pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land, airplane multi-engine land, instrument airplane, and glider. He held a third-class medical certificate issued July 3, 2018, and reported 1,650 total hours of flight experience at the time of the medical examination. His pilot logbook was not recovered.
Aircraft Information
The two-seat, low-wing, retractable gear airplane was built in 1993. It was powered by a Lycoming IO-540-L1C5, 300-horsepower engine equipped with a three-bladed Hartzell propeller.
Meteorological Information
At 1350, recorded weather at New Smyrna Beach Municipal Airport, located 5 miles southeast of the accident site, included wind from 120° at 10 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, temperature 30°C, dew point 24°C, and altimeter 30.17 inches of mercury.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The wreckage was located about midfield and 60 feet from the left side of runway 6, consumed by a postcrash fire. The main wreckage came to rest upright on a heading of 320°. The instrument panel was consumed by fire, and no readable instruments were recovered. Both wings separated from the fuselage; the left wing was located beside the fuselage with about 4 feet of the inboard section remaining, and the rest was consumed by fire. The right wing was located under the fuselage and completely consumed by fire. All major components of the airplane were accounted for. Control cable continuity was confirmed.
The engine remained attached to the airframe and was fire-damaged. The propeller and accessories were also fire-damaged. The spinner dome was melted on one side. Top spark plugs were removed, and the propeller was rotated by hand. Thumb compression was established on all cylinders. Valve train continuity was confirmed by visual observation of rocker arm movement and accessory gear movement. A lighted borescope used to inspect pistons and valves inside the cylinders revealed no anomalies.
Medical and Pathological Information
An autopsy performed on the pilot by the Office of the Medical Examiner, Orlando, Florida, listed the cause of death as complications of 50.5% total body surface area burns and inhalation injury. The pilot succumbed to his injuries in the hospital 1 week after the accident; toxicology testing was not performed.