Gaynor Donald J RV6A accident near Englewood, FL
On April 4, 2009, a Gaynor Donald J RV6A (airplane) was involved in an accident near Englewood, FL. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- April 4, 2009
- Place
- Englewood, FL
- Aircraft
- Gaynor Donald J RV6A · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 1 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 26.966°N, 82.353°W
- NTSB ID
- 20090404X71345
Official records · ERA09LA229
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
On April 4, 2009, about 1435 eastern daylight time, a Donald J. Gaynor experimental amateur built RV-6A, N88WG, registered to and operated by a private individual, crashed into trees in Englewood, Florida. The certificated private pilot was killed, the passenger received serious injuries, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. There was a post-crash fire. The flight was operated as a personal flight under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, and no flight plan was filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The flight departed from the Venice Municipal Airport (VNC), Venice, Florida, at about 1415, the same day. The passenger stated that they were sightseeing and coming back along the coast and went over the shore. He said they were flying along at about 1300 to 1500 feet when he heard a loud snap or a loud bang. He stated the pilot was jockeying around with the controls moving the stick fore and aft and said “Oh Jesus no”. He further stated that the aircraft was buffeting. The passenger was asked how long after he heard the loud bang was it until he hit the trees and he stated immediately. Witnesses at a local gathering stated that a white single engine airplane flew over their heads at what they estimated to be 200-300 feet and then the airplane did what some witnesses referred to as a "barrel roll" and others referred to as a "loop." The airplane disappeared from sight. Organizers of the roundup stated that there was no air show scheduled to be performed at the gathering, and the pilot was not known to anyon
Probable cause
The pilot's operation of the airplane while impaired (alcohol) and his decision to attempt aerobatic maneuvers at a low altitude resulting in the loss of aircraft control and subsequent collision with trees.
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Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
