History of Flight
On October 8, 2019, about 1229 Pacific daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built Bede BD-5 airplane, registration N501BD, sustained substantial damage during an accident near Camarillo, California. The airline transport pilot was fatally injured. The flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.
According to air traffic control transcripts, the pilot was cleared to taxi to runway 26, completed an engine run-up, and was cleared for takeoff. The controller instructed the pilot to extend his upwind for 1/2 mile and then turn crosswind, which the pilot confirmed. Later, the pilot was cleared for the option on runway 26. While on the downwind leg, the controller advised the pilot that the airplane was low (about 500 ft agl versus the pattern altitude of 800 ft agl) and asked if he could climb. The pilot responded that he was having issues climbing and would need to stay at his current altitude, planning a full stop landing. The pilot was cleared to land, and shortly thereafter, the airplane was observed in a rapid descent.
Several witnesses reported the airplane was low, maneuvered, and descended rapidly. One witness noted the propeller was not moving. The airplane impacted a lettuce field about 3/4 mile south of the airport, nosed over after touchdown, and came to rest inverted. A postimpact fire ensued.
Personnel Information
The pilot held an airline transport pilot certificate with multiengine land and commercial single-engine land privileges. He was issued a third-class airman medical certificate on December 15, 2017, with a limitation for corrective lenses. On that application, he reported 13,700 total flight hours, with 23 hours in the previous 6 months.
Aircraft Information
The low-wing airplane was powered by an experimental Honda EB3 engine equipped with a Warp Drive fixed-pitch propeller in a pusher configuration. The airframe and engine logbooks were not located.
Meteorological Information
At 1155, the recorded weather at Camarillo Airport (CMA) included wind from 190° at 4 knots, 10 statute miles visibility, clear sky, temperature 23°C, dew point 14°C, and an altimeter setting of 29.87 inches of mercury.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The airplane impacted level terrain in a lettuce field at about 60 ft mean sea level. A ground disturbance about 60 ft from the wreckage measured about 10 ft by 30 ft and extended on a 120° magnetic heading to the main wreckage. An irrigation pipe showed impact marks. The airplane came to rest inverted on about a 125° magnetic heading. All major components were present. Most debris consisted of small fragments of the canopy and landing gear, which separated during impact. First responders cut off the forward section to the rear cockpit area. A postimpact fire thermally damaged the cockpit and fuselage.
The left wing was attached with leading-edge damage on the outboard third. Chordwise scratches were on the underside. The left flap and aileron were attached; the flap appeared near neutral. The left fuel cap was secured. The left main wheel assembly separated. The left main gear appeared extended. The wingtip separated.
The right wing was attached with chordwise scratches on the inboard underside. The right flap and aileron were attached; the flap near neutral. The right wingtip was bent downward. The fuel cap was secured; fuel leaked from the wing root during recovery. The right main wheel assembly separated; the gear appeared extended.
The empennage remained attached and relatively intact. The vertical stabilizer and rudder were attached; the rudder trim tab near neutral. Both horizontal stabilators were attached and intact. Flight control continuity was established to the ailerons and rudder, but not to the stabilator due to wreckage orientation.
The instrument panel and cabin were thermally damaged. Chordwise scratches on the bottom inboard fuselage. The tail skid was intact.
No oil was observed leaking. The intake was unobstructed; the exhaust tube intact. No bird remains or feathers were found.
The propeller was attached to the crankshaft; both blades intact. The engine was rotated by hand; driveshaft and accessory continuity were established, but the No. 4 piston did not move during crankshaft rotation. Oil was drained; two sections of the No. 4 connecting rod end cap, bolt sections, and bearing debris were found in the oil. Engine disassembly revealed unobstructed oil galleys. The No. 4 connecting rod cap showed thermal discoloration and mechanical damage; the cap with bearing tang insert had damage consistent with bearing shift. The No. 4 connecting rod bolts were bent, with overload fracture surfaces.
Postaccident examination revealed no additional preimpact mechanical anomalies or malfunctions that would have prevented normal operation.
Medical and Pathological Information
The Ventura County Medical Examiner Office conducted an autopsy; the cause of death was attributed to smoke inhalation and thermal injuries.
The FAA Forensic Sciences Laboratory performed toxicological testing, negative for carbon monoxide and cyanide. Positive results were found for Fluoxetine, Norfluoxetine, Rosuvastatin, Tamsulosin, and Amlodipine. Fluoxetine is an unreported and disqualifying antidepressant. Tamsulosin is generally acceptable for use by airmen. The pilot had previously reported amlodipine and atorvastatin.