The 85-year-old commercial pilot was conducting a local pleasure flight in his experimental, amateur-built Sonex.
A witness near the accident site in Marion, S.C., saw the airplane flying at low altitude before it entered a “straight up” climb followed by a descent and continued “straight down” toward the ground.
According to the witness, it did not appear that the pilot attempted to pull out of the dive. The pilot died in the crash.
Examination of the airplane and engine revealed no mechanical discrepancies that would have precluded normal operation.
Despite the pilot’s age, his daughter stated that he had no known medical issues that would interfere with his flying, and no evidence of incapacitation or impairment were identified by the autopsy and toxicology testing.
The reason for the airplane’s impact with terrain could not be determined based on the available information.
Probable cause: Impact with terrain for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
NTSB Identification: ERA18LA249
This September 2018 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
How far back does the pilots slide. Broken Safety pin or latch, throws 0ff the CG; makes it nearly impossible for the pilot to grab the stick.It’s happened before.
I have to assume that an autopsy wasn’t possible. Definitely medical. Stroke? Heart Attack? In a case like this would the investigators have access to the pilots recent medical records?
Your thought about this the path to the real reason for the tragtic incident. The actions of the pilot before the accident would indicate that he was going to pull hard to the vertical and that g-force is enough to dislodge a clot that otherwise would stay in place. It was a medical problem. The autopsy would find that.
An 85yo in a small jet climbing and diving steeply. Sure there is no known cause…does ‘blackout’ ring a bell?
Not a jet. “wooden propellers” separated from the hub in crash. Also witness thought it was a crop duster due to being low to ground with plenty of power pulling up then diving as if doing a pass, didn’t see it try to pull out of dive.
You are confusing the SubSonex, a jet with a lot of recent publicity, with the aircraft it is derived from which is a normal propeller driven aircraft.
A similar thing happened at the grass strip in Hedgesville, WV about 8 years ago. I witnessed our DAR performing an inspection on a newly built Arion Lightning. All control surfaces and control systems were found to be properly rigged, and all cables were properly tensioned. The builder, and ex-airline pilot with an ATP taxied out, and commenced the first take-off. The plane broke ground and began the climb-out in a normal attitude, then pitched up, stalled, and descended into the foundation of a nearby house. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was killed. A medical examination performed soon after showed that the pilot had suffered a heart attack during that take-off.