N501BDSimmons John M BD-5 · 1998

On October 8, 2019, about 1229 Pacific daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built Bede BD-5, airplane, N501BD, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Camarillo, California. The airline transport pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

According to air traffic control transcripts, the pilot was cleared to taxi to runway 26, where he completed an engine run-up, and was subsequently cleared for takeoff. The pilot was instructed by the tower controller to extend his upwind for 1/2 mile and was then instructed to turn crosswind. The pilot confirmed turning crosswind. The pilot was then cleared for the option on runway 26. While the pilot was flying the downwind leg of the traffic pattern, the controller advised him that the airplane was a little low and asked if he could increase his altitude. The airplane’s altitude was about 500 ft above ground level (agl), while the traffic pattern altitude was about 800 ft agl. The pilot responded that he was having issues climbing and would need to stay at his current altitude. He further responded that he would need to make a full stop landing. The pilot was cleared to land on runway 26, and shortly thereafter, the airplane was observed in a rapid descent.

Several witnesses located near the accident site reported that the airplane was low, then maneuvered, and was rapidly descending toward the ground. One witness stated that the propeller was not moving. The airplane impacted a lettuce field about 3/4 mile south of the airport. The airplane nosed over just after touchdown and came to rest inverted. A postimpact fire ensued.

The pilot held an airline transport pilot certificate with a rating for airplane multiengine land and commercial privileges for airplane single-engine land. He was issued a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) third-class airman medical certificate on December 15, 2017, with a limitation for corrective lenses. On the application for that medical certificate, the pilot reported 13,700 total hours of flight experience, with 23 hours in the previous 6 months.

The low-wing airplane was powered by an experimental Honda EB3 engine. The engine was equipped with a Warp Drive fixed pitch propeller in a pusher configuration.

The airframe and engine logbooks were not located.

At 1155, the recorded weather conditions at CMA included wind from 190° at 4 knots, 10 statute miles visibility, clear sky, temperature 23°C, dew point 14°C, and an altimeter setting of 29.87 inches of mercury.

The low-wing airplane was powered by an experimental Honda EB3 engine. The engine was equipped with a Warp Drive fixed pitch propeller in a pusher configuration.

The airframe and engine logbooks were not located.

The airplane impacted level terrain in a field of lettuce at an elevation of about 60 ft mean sea level (msl). A large ground disturbance was observed about 60 ft from the wreckage that measured about 10 ft by 30 ft and extended on a 120° magnetic heading to the main wreckage. An irrigation pipe displayed markings consistent with airplane impact. The airplane came to rest inverted on about a 125º magnetic heading. All major components of the airplane were located at the site. Most of the wreckage debris comprised small fragments of the canopy and the landing gear, which had separated during impact. First responders had cut off the forward section of the airplane to the rear area of the cockpit. There was a postimpact fire that thermally damaged the cockpit area and the fuselage.

The left wing was attached and sustained damage to the leading edge about the outboard third. Chordwise scratching was observed on the underside of the wing. The left flap and aileron were attached their respective attachment points. The flap appeared to be near the neutral position. The scratches on the flap were consistent with the flap near the neutral position. The left tank fuel cap was observed secured. The left main wheel assembly had separated and were located near the main wreckage. The left main gear appeared to be extended. The wing tip was separated.

The right wing was attached and chordwise scratches were observed on the inboard portion of the underside of the wing. The right flap and aileron were attached at their respective attachment points. The flap appeared to be near the neutral position. The right wingtip was bent downward. The fuel cap was secured. Fuel was observed leaking out of the wing root during recovery. The right main wheel assembly had separated and was located near the wreckage. The right main landing gear appeared to be extended.

The empennage remained attached to the fuselage and was relatively intact. The vertical stabilizer and rudder were attached to their respective attachment points. The rudder trim tab was near the neutral position. The left and right horizontal stabilators were attached and relatively intact. Flight control continuity was established to the ailerons and rudder. Flight control continuity to the stabilator could not to be established due to the orientation of the wreckage.

The instrument control panel and cabin area were thermally damaged. Chordwise scratches were observed on the bottom inboard half of the fuselage. The tail skid was intact.

No oil was observed leaking at the accident site. The intake appeared to be free of obstructions. The exhaust tube was attached and appeared to be intact.

No bird remains or feathers were present in any of the windshield fragments, in the cabin area, or the main wreckage.

The propeller was attached to the crankshaft. Both blades appeared to be intact. The engine was rotated by hand at the propeller assembly and driveshaft and accessory drive continuity was established; however, the No. 4 piston would not move during crankshaft rotation. The oil was drained from the sump and two sections of the No. 4 connecting rod end cap and bolt sections and bearing debris were found in the oil. Engine disassembly revealed that the engine’s oil galleys and the No. 4 connecting rod journal’s oil galley were not obstructed. The No. 4 connecting rod cap sections displayed thermal discoloration and mechanical damage. The section of the rod end cap with the bearing tang insert exhibited mechanical damage consistent with bearing shift. The No. 4 connecting rod bolts were bent, and the fracture surfaces were consistent with overload.

Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no additional preimpact mechanical anomalies or malfunctions that would have prevented normal operation.

The Ventura County Medical Examiner Office, Ventura, California, conducted an autopsy on the pilot. The medical examiner attributed the cause of death to smoke inhalation and thermal injuries.

The FAA's Forensic Sciences Laboratory performed toxicological testing on the pilot. The results were negative for carbon monoxide and cyanide. Testing results were positive for Fluoxetine, Norfluoxetine, Rosuvastatin, Tamsulosin, and Amlodipine.

Fluoxetine is a prescription medication used to treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, some eating disorders, and panic attacks. Fluoxetine is in a class of medications called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Norfluoxetine is a metabolite of fluoxetine. It was an unreported and disqualifying antidepressant. Although for some individuals this medication could impair mental and/or physical ability required for performance of potentially hazardous tasks such as flying, the FAA has determined that some airmen may be considered for a special issuance medical certificate for this medication, provided that several stringent criteria are met. However, there is no record that the pilot ever made such a request.

Tamsulosin is a prescription medication used to treat the symptoms of an enlarged prostate. Tamsulosin is in a class of medications called alpha blockers. This medication is generally acceptable for use by airmen. Present also were previous reported medications by the pilot, of amlodipine and atorvastatin.