Aero Adventure ZEPHYR II accident near Sylacauga, AL
On September 18, 2011, an Aero Adventure ZEPHYR II (airplane) was involved in an accident near Sylacauga, AL. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- September 18, 2011
- Place
- Sylacauga, AL
- Aircraft
- Aero Adventure ZEPHYR II · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 33.170°N, 86.303°W
- NTSB ID
- 20110918X93633
Official records · ERA11LA496
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
On September 18, 2011, about 1721 central daylight time, an amateur-built, experimental light sport (E-LSA) Aero Adventure Zephyr II airplane, N3577F, operated by a private individual, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain during takeoff from Sylacauga Municipal Airport (SCD), Sylacauga, Alabama. The certificated private pilot was fatally injured. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the planned local flight. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the pilot had removed pontoons from the airplane and installed a tricycle landing gear. To compensate for the subsequent tail-heavy condition, the pilot utilized an elevator trim tab extension; however, for the accident takeoff, the extension was left in the pilot's hangar and not installed on the airplane. During takeoff roll on runway 27, as the airplane became airborne, it nosed over and impacted a grassy area to the right, between the runway and taxiway. The airplane came to rest in the grassy area in a nose-down attitude. The FAA inspector added that a witness, who was watching airplanes from behind the airport fence, reported the accident law enforcement. The witness observed the accident airplane take off normally and climb out; however, the left wing then went straight up and right wing dropped suddenly. The airplane impacted the ground along the right side of the runway. Another FAA inspector examined the wreckage and confirmed flight control continu
Probable cause
The pilot's incapacitation due to a heart attack during takeoff, which led to an in-flight loss of airplane control.
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Browse: Alabama
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
