History of Flight
On May 22, 2021, at about 1742 eastern daylight time, a Flight Design CTSW light sport airplane, registration N708JM, was destroyed in an accident near South Oaks Aerodrome (05N), Winterville, North Carolina. The pilot and passenger sustained fatal injuries. The flight was conducted as a personal flight under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
According to Federal Aviation Administration radar track data, the airplane departed runway 23 at Cape Fear Regional Jetport/Howie Franklin Field Airport (SUT), Oak Island, North Carolina, about 1627. After takeoff, it turned left to a northeast heading for about 21 nautical miles, then turned slightly left to a north-northeast heading toward 05N.
While en route, the passenger sent a text to a relative stating, “it is 5:27 right now and we are 12 minutes from landing.... Had a headwind that slowed us down a little bit. Will text when we get settled.” The flight continued toward 05N, but radar contact was lost at 1735:52, when the airplane was about 6.2 nautical miles and 181° from the aerodrome.
Security camera videos from houses north and south of the runway showed the airplane touching down about 122 feet from the approach end of runway 25 and remaining on the ground for about 340 feet. An increase in engine sound was heard, and the airplane was observed in a nose-high, tail-low attitude. It became airborne about 464 feet past the approach end. The airplane then initiated a climbing left turn, rolling left to about 90° while descending, and subsequently impacted a wooded area behind a house.
A witness located near the departure end of runway 25 reported that the airplane's bank angle during the climbing left turn was between 15° and 20°. The witness saw fire about 10 seconds after hearing the impact and noted that the smoke rose vertically, indicating no or minimal wind.
Aircraft Information
The engine was equipped with two carburetors (Nos. 1/3 and 2/4) connected to the cockpit throttle control by Bowden cables. According to the engine installation manual, a return spring was attached at each carburetor; with minimal friction in the Bowden cable, the spring would move the throttle completely open.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The accident site was about 1,246 feet and 229° from the approach end of runway 25. A tree approximately 10 to 12 inches in diameter was uprooted and exhibited an impact scar about 25 feet above ground level, oriented along a magnetic heading of 344°. Postcrash fire was evident.
The airplane's fuel system was destroyed by fire. One fuel tank pick-up screen remained attached to a tank; the other was found loose. Both screens were free of obstructions. The airframe fuel strainer had separated, but its screen was clean.
Examination of the engine revealed extensive heat damage, preventing crankshaft rotation. Borescope inspection showed all connecting rods remained attached to the crankshaft, and the positions of the front and rear pistons were consistent with an intact crankshaft. The camshaft, cylinders, air induction, ignition, cooling, lubricating, exhaust systems, and reduction gearbox exhibited extensive heat damage with no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction.
Both carburetors had separated from the engine and sustained extensive heat damage; their throttle plates were in the wide-open position. The National Transportation Safety Board Materials Laboratory examined the throttle control cables and found that both throttle cables to the cockpit for the Nos. 1/3 and 2/4 carburetors and the choke cable to the cockpit for the No. 2/4 carburetor exhibited fracture features consistent with overstress. The choke cable for the No. 1/3 carburetor had extensive thermal damage.
Medical and Pathological Information
An autopsy on the pilot, performed by the East Carolina Brody School of Medicine, Department of Clinical/Forensic Pathology, determined the cause of death as multiple injuries. Toxicology testing by the Federal Aviation Administration Forensic Sciences Laboratory identified losartan in the pilot's blood and urine; losartan is a blood pressure medication generally considered not to be impairing.