Accident Sequence
On July 10, 2021, at 1730 eastern daylight time, an experimental light-sport Bailey Moyes Dragonfly, registration N346FL, was substantially damaged when it struck power lines and impacted terrain near Charleston, New Hampshire. The pilot sustained minor injuries and the passenger sustained fatal injuries. The flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.
The commercial pilot, seated in the front seat, was receiving mentoring and airplane familiarization from the passenger in the rear seat. The passenger had previously held a private pilot certificate but had his airmen and medical certificates revoked in 2017. The flight was operating in the traffic pattern using the northerly runway at Morningside Flight Park, a private airfield.
According to the pilot, a preflight inspection was performed by both individuals. The passenger then flew the airplane solo, performing three touch-and-go landings. After landing, the passenger moved to the rear seat and the pilot sat in the front seat, performing one touch-and-go and one full-stop landing. During the third circuit, while on final approach, the airplane was too high and the passenger instructed the pilot to perform a go-around, which he did.
During the downwind leg, the engine power was set at 4,200 rpm. Witnesses reported the downwind leg appeared lower and slower than normal. Near the end of the downwind leg, at about 400 ft above ground level, the passenger shook the control stick violently and yelled something about power. He shook the controls again, said "my airplane," and assumed control. Abeam the runway threshold, he began a turn toward the base leg. The pilot noticed engine speed was about 3,200 rpm, slightly below the typical 3,500 rpm for cruise. The pilot felt the airplane was low but believed altitude was sufficient to clear power lines.
A partial loss of engine power occurred approximately when the passenger turned onto the base leg. The airplane then banked hard left, pitched nose down, descended into power lines, and impacted the ground. The engine continued running. The pilot attempted to shut it down with magneto switches but the engine kept running until he turned off the master switch.
The power lines were oriented north/south (5° magnetic) about 350–500 ft west of the runway (oriented 14° magnetic). Utility line towers were about 350 ft apart; the highest wire had two visibility marker balls. The traffic pattern was left-hand, with all takeoffs and landings to the north, and typically crossed the power lines on base leg.
Pilot and Passenger Information
The commercial pilot in the front seat was being mentored by the passenger, who had been a licensed private pilot before his certificates were revoked in September 2017. The passenger's most recent medical application was dated June 7, 2016. According to FAA records, he held a private pilot certificate with a single-engine land rating.
Postaccident Examination
FAA inspection revealed the airplane came to rest adjacent to a utility tower. All major components were present. An electrical arcing mark was found on the left wingtip. The forward fuselage was fractured aft of the front pilot station and mostly separated. The airplane was mostly intact from the rear pilot station to the tail. Aileron and rudder controls were continuous from the rear pilot station to their surfaces. Elevator controls were continuous except for a fracture in the push-pull tube that remained attached at both ends.
The airframe parachute was not deployed; the safety pin was removed (appropriate for flight). The fuel tank was about half full; a sample upstream of the fuel filter appeared and smelled consistent with automotive fuel (the recommended fuel). Tips of all three composite propeller blades were frayed and damaged. The engine throttle control cable was fractured in several locations.
Postaccident engine examination revealed the left-side carburetor throttle arm was slightly bent, causing it to contact a bracket at a partial throttle setting. The impingement did not prevent full throttle but intermittently prevented the arm from returning to idle. No other anomalies that would preclude normal operation were found.
Toxicological Testing
Toxicological samples from the passenger were tested by the FAA Forensic Sciences Laboratory. Delta-9-THC was detected at 11.5 ng/mL, 11-hydroxy-delta-9-THC at 3.4 ng/mL, and carboxy-delta-9-THC at 39.7 ng/mL in femoral blood. These substances were also detected in urine. Delta-9-THC (THC) is the primary psychoactive chemical in cannabis and hashish. It is commonly used recreationally for mind-altering effects, and may also be used medicinally. Psychoactive effects vary by user and dose, and may include relaxation, euphoria, disinhibition, disorientation, altered perception of time and space, impaired concentration and memory, sedation, panic, paranoia, heightened senses, emotional lability, psychosis, and dulled attention with illusion of increased insight. THC can impair motor coordination, reaction time, decision making, problem solving, and vigilance.