Accident Details
On August 23, 2019, at about 1115 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Aventura II airplane, registration N9143M, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain near Minneola, Florida. The pilot was fatally injured. The flight was operating under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.
Witness Statement
The pilot's son, who had assisted in assembling the airplane, reported that an after-market supercharger had been installed on the engine several months prior, and the airplane had been flying normally. About two days before the accident, the pilot noted higher-than-normal fuel consumption (approximately 6 gallons per hour versus the usual 4 gallons per hour). The day before, the son and his father replaced the carburetor jets with smaller ones to improve fuel economy. After replacement, the engine ran roughly (coughing and missing). The next morning, the pilot told his son he had adjusted the carburetor float bracket tabs to allow more fuel into the carburetor bowl. After a successful run-up, the pilot planned to fly to DeLand Municipal Airport-Sidney H Taylor Field (DED), while his son drove a truck and trailer to meet him there. The son observed the takeoff on runway 36; the takeoff appeared normal, but climb performance was reduced. At about 300 ft above ground level, the engine began sputtering and running roughly. The pilot initiated a sharp left turn, and the airplane descended straight down to the ground.
Wreckage Examination
The wreckage came to rest about 200 yards from the departure end of runway 36, oriented on a magnetic heading of 270°. All major components were present. Flight control continuity was verified from the cockpit to all primary flight control surfaces. The impact attitude was nearly vertical nose-down. The nose was fractured, the instrument panel destroyed, and instruments were found in the grass. The landing gear was extended. The wing sustained impact damage, with fabric torn and internal aluminum tubing fractured. The engine was fractured from its mounts but remained connected via wiring and cables; it was found inverted, with automotive gasoline leaking from fractured fuel lines. The three-blade composite propeller remained attached; one blade was fractured mid-blade. Both carburetors were fractured off the induction system, connected only by throttle linkage. The tail section was undamaged.
Engine Examination
Examination revealed that the carburetor choke was safety wired in the open position. The right exhaust gas temperature probe had been cut off and replaced with a new probe clamped to the exhaust pipe using two worm-style stainless-steel clamps. The supercharger spun freely with no binding. The top spark plugs were removed and found black and sooty. Thumb compression was established on all cylinders. A boroscope examination of cylinders, valves, and pistons showed no anomalies.
Pilot Information
The pilot reported 306 total flight hours to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) at his most recent medical examination. No chronic medical conditions or medication use were reported. An autopsy by the State of Florida Medical Examiner determined the cause of death as multiple blunt force injuries, with no significant natural disease identified.
Toxicology
Toxicology testing by NMS Labs identified 5.8 ng/mL of Delta-9-THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and 15 ng/mL of Delta-9-Carboxy-THC in the pilot's iliac blood. FAA Forensic Science Laboratory testing found 7.4 ng/mL of Delta-9-THC, 16.4 ng/mL of Delta-9-Carboxy-THC, and 0.9 ng/mL of 11-Hydroxy-Delta-9-THC in cavity blood, as well as 3 ng/mL of Delta-9-THC and 107.8 ng/mL of Delta-9-Carboxy-THC in liver tissue. Testing for 11-Hydroxy-Delta-9-THC in liver tissue was inconclusive.