Ocala, FL, USA
N820NG
Evektor Aerotechnik SPORTSTAR
The 78-year-old pilot was landing following a cross-country flight. Witnesses’ accounts indicated that the final approach was unstabilized, the pilot did not attempt a go-around, and the airplane bounced after landing long down the runway. The pilot subsequently lost airplane control and the airplane came to rest inverted in a grassy area about 2,500 ft down and 200 ft east of the runway. Examination of the wreckage did not reveal evidence of a preaccident malfunction or anomaly. The pilot held no Federal Aviation Administration medical certificate, nor was she required to. Autopsy findings showed an acute stroke in her left basal ganglia, as well as an enlarged heart and hypertensive kidney disease. Personal medical records showed the pilot was being treated for hypertension, a major risk factor for stroke, with four medications needed to control her blood pressure. Symptoms of a basal ganglia stroke can include a sudden severe headache, one-sided numbness and weakness, double vision, and loss of coordination; symptoms typically occur over minutes to hours. While it is unknown what symptoms the pilot may have experienced, given the operational aspects of this accident, impairment or distraction would be likely from an acutely evolving stroke. Thus, the pilot’s stroke likely contributed to this accident. Postmortem toxicology testing did not detect any sedating or impairing medications in the pilot’s cavity blood or liver tissue.
HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn July 1, 2020, about 1030 eastern daylight time, an Evektor-Aerotechnik AS Sportstar, N820NG, was substantially when it was involved in an accident near Ocala, Florida. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to local law enforcement officials, the pilot was returning to Leeward Air Ranch Airport, Ocala, Florida (FD04) following a morning flight to Williston, Florida. A witness reported that the airplane was landing on runway 18; however, it was higher than normal on final approach. The airplane touched down “quite a way” down the runway, bounced, came back down, and bounced a second time. The airplane then banked to the left and went out of sight at the left side of the runway. Another witness observed the airplane while taking a break from working on this home. He observed the airplane flying southbound and flying “very low” while trying to land. The right, main tire hit the ground, the airplane bounced, flipped over, and came to a stop. PERSONNEL INFORMATIONThe pilot’s logbook was not located after the accident; however, a signed insurance application, dated August 23, 2019, was located. The pilot reported on the application that the airplane was based at FD04. The last flight review on the application was in October 2017 (no specific date indicated). WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATIONAn inspector with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) responded to the accident site and examined the wreckage. The wreckage was found inverted at a 61° nose-low angle and there was no fire. The fuselage and both wings were structurally damaged. The airplane came to rest about 2,500 ft down runway 18, and about 200 ft east of the runway, in a grassy area. The wreckage was recovered to a salvage facility where it was examined by an NTSB investigator. The airframe was intact; the engine was had impact damage signatures and was positioned on the front seats by recovery personnel. The leading edge of both wings had impact damage. The flaps were attached to the wings; however, both flap connecting rods were fractured. The ailerons were attached to the wings and were unremarkable. The empennage was unremarkable. Flight control continuity was established to all components. The rudder cable and elevator torque tube were cut by recovery personnel. A visual examination of the engine revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The top spark plugs were removed and showed normal wear when compared to a Champion inspection chart. Compression and suction were established on all cylinders and valve action was correct. All three propeller blades were fractured off at the hub. Both carburetors were fractured at their mounts and partially attached by cables. MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATIONAccording to the Florida Medical Examiner’s Office District 5 & 24 (Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Marion, Seminole, and Sumter Counties), Leesburg, Florida, autopsy report, the cause of death was multiple blunt force injuries due to the aircraft crash and the manner of death was accident. Toxicology testing performed by the FAA Forensic Sciences Laboratory detected the nonimpairing compounds loratadine, desloratadine, and metoprolol in the pilot’s cavity blood and liver tissue. Acetone, which can be produced postmortem, was detected in cavity blood. The medical examiner reported that the pilot had an enlarged heart (420 grams), hardening of kidney arteries, and a 1-by-1-cm area of hemorrhage within the left basal ganglia indicative of an acute lacunar stroke. The 78-year-old female sport pilot did not have a FAA medical certificate nor had she ever applied for one. According to personal medical records, the pilot had a primary care visit 1 week prior to the accident. At that time, the pilot was 65 inches tall and weighed 178 pounds. Her medical diagnoses included high blood pressure, hypothyroidism, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and high cholesterol. She was prescribed hydrochlorothiazide, metoprolol, quinapril, and clonidine to treat high blood pressure. In 2018, a CT scan of her brain had shown a small amount of microvascular disease and old infarcts.
The pilot’s impairment or distraction due to an acute stroke, which resulted in an unstabilized approach and subsequent loss of airplane control during landing.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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