Accident Details
On October 6, 2020, at approximately 0820 central daylight time, a Quicksilver MXL-2 Sport light sport airplane, registration N2942A, was substantially damaged when it crashed near Mount Vernon, Indiana. The sport pilot and pilot-rated passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
A witness reported observing the accident airplane flying in the area. She saw the airplane exit a loop and then spiral toward the ground. While she did not witness the impact, she heard the sound of an impact shortly after the airplane disappeared from view. The witness was located at her residence, approximately 0.33 nautical mile east of the accident site and about 1 nautical mile northeast of the airport.
Pilot Information
The pilot, who owned the airplane, occupied the right seat, while the pilot-rated passenger occupied the left seat. Both were eligible to fly the light sport airplane using a valid driver's license.
An individual who had flown with the pilot approximately one year before the accident recounted that the pilot performed several maneuvers he described as "dangerous" and that made him very uncomfortable. This individual added that the pilot had good technical skills but poor decision-making.
Another individual who had flown with the pilot in the days preceding the accident reported that the pilot executed low passes and dives. She provided numerous photos and videos captured from the ground and while in flight. A review of these videos showed the pilot performing steep climbs and steep descents at low altitude over the runway, as well as maneuvering through a small opening in a tree line during the base-to-final approach for landing.
Aircraft Information
The airplane was not approved for aerobatic flight, according to its experimental operating limitations.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The airplane impacted a harvested crop field on a southwesterly heading and came to rest on its right side. The main wreckage was located approximately 100 feet from the initial ground impact marks. The engine remained attached to its mount, and one propeller blade had separated from the hub. The responding Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector reported that the flight controls were connected and noted no anomalies. The airplane's metal tubular structure was bent in several places due to impact. The FAA inspector retained a section of fractured tubular structure for examination. No other anomalies were noted with the airplane or engine.
The NTSB Materials Laboratory examined the fractured structural pieces, which consisted mainly of anodized aluminum tubular supports bolted together with a steel alloy bolt. The bolt fracture surface exhibited rupture consistent with overstress fracture.
Medical and Pathological Information
An autopsy performed on the sport pilot by the Posey County Coroner's Office determined the cause of death as multiple blunt force injuries. The FAA's Forensic Sciences Laboratory conducted toxicology tests on the pilot's specimens, detecting memantine in the blood and liver. Memantine is used to treat confusion related to Alzheimer's disease.
An autopsy performed on the pilot-rated passenger also determined the cause of death as multiple blunt force injuries. Toxicology tests on the passenger's specimens detected glucose, diphenhydramine, carboxy-delta-9-THC, and 11-hydroxy-delta-9-THC in the urine, and diphenhydramine, delta-9-THC, and carboxy-delta-9-THC in the blood.