History of Flight
On August 11, 2019, at 1643 eastern daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built Poberezny Acro Sport II, registration N43032, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain while maneuvering shortly after takeoff from Jersey Shore Airport (P96), Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania. The commercial pilot and a private pilot passenger were fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight under 14 CFR Part 91.
The pilot's uncle reported that the pilot purchased the airplane about three weeks before the accident. The wings were removed for transport to P96 and reassembled. The pilot's first flight occurred two days prior, after which he stated that "the controls were very responsive." The accident flight was his second flight in the aircraft.
A witness at the airport spoke to the pilot before takeoff, who said he was going to fly his new airplane. The witness observed the airplane depart from runway 27, circle, and perform a high-speed fly-by over runway 9 at about 150 feet above ground level (agl) with the engine at full throttle. The airplane then climbed straight up to about 500-600 feet agl, where it stalled: the left wing rolled over, and the airplane made about two or three spirals before impacting the ground.
The day before the accident, a pilot who shared hangar space asked the accident pilot about the stall speed. The pilot replied he was not sure because he could not see the airspeed indicator from the rear seat.
Personnel Information
The pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single- and multiengine land and instrument airplane, as well as a flight instructor certificate with similar ratings. His most recent FAA second-class medical certificate was issued July 31, 2019, and he reported 1,400 hours of flight experience.
The passenger held a private pilot certificate with a single-engine land rating and a repairman experimental aircraft builder certificate for a Kitfox airplane. His most recent FAA third-class medical certificate was issued June 17, 2014; he reported 1,370 hours. He was operating under Basic Med, with a physical examination completed May 30, 2019.
Aircraft Information
The airplane was an experimental, amateur-built Poberezny Acro Sport II. The only maintenance logbook entry was a condition inspection on August 5, 2006. There was no logbook entry for the disassembly, transport, and reassembly after the pilot purchased the airplane. At the time of the accident, the tachometer read 129 hours.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The airplane came to rest about 100 yards from the end of runway 9, with a wreckage path oriented 240°. All major components were within the main wreckage. Flight control continuity was confirmed from the cockpit to all primary flight control surfaces. The forward and rear cockpit panels were bent but intact; the rear throttle and mixture controls were in the full forward position, while the forward controls were full aft.
The tail assembly remained attached, and the upper wing was attached but with bent attachments. The upper ailerons were attached via outer pivot points; inner attachment points and tubes connecting to lower ailerons were separated. The lower right wing was attached with skin torn and punctured by the landing gear; the lower aileron and its torque tube were attached. The left lower wing was attached with aileron in place, and the left landing gear had punctured the wing. The two-bladed wood propeller remained attached; one blade was fractured lengthwise, the other undamaged.
Engine examination revealed the oil sump was fractured with oil present. Engine rotation was achieved by hand; the fractured starter ring gear was removed. Pushrod tubes on cylinders Nos. 3 and 4 had impact damage, but continuity was confirmed with compression on all cylinders. The single-drive dual magneto sparked at each lead. The engine-driven fuel pump showed suction and compression, with fuel present. The electric boost pump activated when voltage was applied. Oil screens were unobstructed. Spark plugs had normal coloration and wear; the No. 2 bottom plug had impact damage. The starter and alternator were impact damaged. The throttle body injector was fractured and bent; disassembly showed no tears or debris. The fuel inlet screen was clear. The mixture arm was fractured but remained attached to the cable.
Medical and Pathological Information
Autopsies of the pilot and passenger performed by the Lycoming County Coroner determined the cause of death as multiple blunt force injuries. Toxicology testing at the FAA Forensic Sciences Laboratory found negative results for carbon monoxide and ethanol. The cholesterol medication atorvastatin was identified in the passenger's blood and urine; this medication is not considered impairing.