Monday the 30th of June, 2025

NTSB Final Report: ICON A5

Pilot’s Failure To Maintain Clearance From The Water While Flying At A Low Altitude

Location: Onamia, Minnesota Accident Number: CEN23FA270
Date & Time: June 30, 2023, 13:49 Local Registration: N239BA
Aircraft: ICON A5 Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Defining Event: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT) Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

Analysis: The flight of two airplanes was in cruise flight on a north heading about 50 ft above a lake when the pilots agreed to fly closer to the west shore of the lake. The pilot of the second (non-accident) airplane initiated a climb and turned toward the west. In his peripheral vision, he noticed a splash and thought the pilot of the amphibious light sport airplane had landed on the water. He made several radio calls to the accident pilot with no response.

A witness reported seeing both airplanes fly about 30–40 ft above the surface of the water; however, they did not see the accident. The airplane was destroyed when it impacted the water and became submerged in about 26 ft of water. Examination of the wreckage indicated that the airplane impacted water in a left-wing-low attitude. Further examination revealed no evidence of preimpact failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. Damage to the propeller indicated that the engine was likely under power at the time of the accident.

The pilot’s autopsy revealed cardiovascular disease that would have increased his risk of experiencing a sudden impairing or incapacitating cardiac event, such as arrhythmia, chest pain, or heart attack. There was no autopsy evidence that such an event occurred; however, such an event does not leave reliable autopsy evidence if it occurs shortly before death. Toxicology results indicated that the pilot had used a cannabis product. However, the precise timing of his last cannabis use, and whether it caused significant impairing effects at the time of the accident, could not be determined from the measured levels of delta-9-THC and its metabolites.

Probable Cause and Findings: The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be -- The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from the water while flying at a low altitude.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov

 

 

NTSB Final Report: Cirrus SR22

Aircraft Parachute System (CAPS) Was Deployed About 293 Ft Above Ground Level, Which Was Too Low To Allow For Full Deployment Of The Parachute System

Location: Jamestown, New York Accident Number: ERA23FA258
Date & Time: June 6, 2023, 13:52 Local Registration: C-GNMT
Aircraft: Cirrus SR22 Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Defining Event: Loss of control in flight Injuries: 2 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Instructional

Analysis: The day before the accident, the pilot and the flight instructor brought the airplane to a maintenance facility due to a low engine manifold air pressure (MAP) indication. The owner of the maintenance facility adjusted the MAP via a set screw on the bottom of the slope controller (turbocharger controller), while the instructor performed ground runs to verify it. The instructor then took a facility maintenance technician on a 30-minute post-maintenance flight. There were no anomalies noted during that flight.

On the day of the accident, the pilot and instructor flew a cross-country flight to the destination airport. Recorded data indicated that, during the flight, the MAP momentarily exceeded the maximum value of 37.5 in (37.59 in) for 1 second, which activated a red crew alerting system (CAS) message visual warning; however, there were no further exceedances during the flight. After conducting business at the destination, the pilot and instructor boarded the airplane for the return flight. They conducted one uneventful touch-and-go landing when, following the second touch-and-go, about midfield at 200 ft above ground level, the MAP exceeded 38.5 in (39.91 in), which activated an aural CAS warning, and the fuel flow exceeded 41 gph (49.5 gph); however, the engine’s fuel-to-air ratio remained sufficient, and the engine continued to operate. The airplane subsequently pitched up 13° and rolled left 67° just before the Cirrus Aircraft Parachute System (CAPS) was deployed about 293 ft above ground level, which was too low to allow for full deployment of the parachute system. The airplane impacted terrain and was consumed by a postimpact fire.

Subsequent examination of the slope controller did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions; however, it sustained heat damage due to a postcrash fire and its gasket rubber diaphragm were destroyed consistent with heat damage. Examination of the remainder of wreckage also did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions. Based on the evidence, the pilot(s) likely overreacted to a distracting anomaly in the cockpit (exceedance of MAP, resulting in an aural cockpit CAS warning), lost control of the airplane, and deployed the CAPS at altitude that was insufficient for it to be effective.

Probable Cause and Findings: The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be -- The pilots’ failure to maintain airplane control following an anomalous engine indication during the initial climb, which resulted in a loss of control and parachute deployment at an altitude too low for the system to operate effectively. Contributing to the accident was an exceedance of engine manifold air pressure for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov

 

 

NTSB Final Report: Rutan Long-EZ

He Attempted To Restart The Engine Three Times. On The Third Restart Attempt, He Noticed That Flames Were Coming Out From The Right Wing Near The Fuel Cap

Location: Sparta, Illinois Accident Number: CEN25LA090
Date & Time: February 1, 2025, 13:50 Local Registration: N88LE
Aircraft: Rutan Long-EZ Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Defining Event: Fire/smoke (non-impact) Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

Analysis: The pilot reported that he taxied to the runway and performed an engine runup. During the runup, the pilot noticed that one of the magnetos was not operating properly, so he started to taxi back to his hangar. While taxing back to the hangar, he smelled burning wire insulation, and shortly after the engine stopped. He attempted to restart the engine three times. On the third restart attempt, he noticed that flames were coming out from the right wing near the fuel cap. He immediately exited the airplane and called the fire department. The airplane was destroyed by the fire.

Due to the damage caused by the fire, an examination of the airplane components to determine the source of the fire was not possible.

Probable Cause and Findings: The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be -- An onboard fire for unknown reasons.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov