Heberlein Ronald VANS RV 9A accident near Sebring, FL
On August 24, 2016, a Heberlein Ronald VANS RV 9A (airplane) was involved in an accident near Sebring, FL. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- August 24, 2016
- Place
- Sebring, FL
- Aircraft
- Heberlein Ronald VANS RV 9A · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 27.486°N, 81.283°W
- NTSB ID
- 20160824X60026
Official records · ERA16FA297
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn August 24, 2016, about 0630 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built RV-9 airplane, N379RV, was destroyed when it collided with terrain near Sebring, Florida. The commercial pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was registered to Saflight LLC and operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal cross-country flight, which departed Sebring Municipal Airport (SEF), Sebring, Florida, at 0623 and was destined for Greater Portsmouth Regional Airport (PMH), Portsmouth, Ohio. According to the pilot's spouse, the pilot was traveling to a class reunion in Portsmouth. A review of SEF airport security camera video showed an airplane departing at 0623 from runway 14. At the time of departure, it was dark, and the registration number of the airplane could not be confirmed. Shortly thereafter, a witness southeast of the airport heard a low flying airplane followed by a loud crashing sound. He subsequently contacted local authorities and advised them that he believed an airplane may have crashed somewhere near his farm. A search ensued, and the airplane was located about 4 nautical miles northeast of SEF. PERSONNEL INFORMATIONThe 76-year-old pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land and instrument airplane. On his FAA second-class medical certificate application, dated May 4, 2015, he reported a total flight experience of 920 hours, including 2 hours during the last 6 months. The
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain.
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Browse: Florida
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
