N820NGEvektor-Aerotechnik As SPORTSTAR · 2007

On 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.

The 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).

An 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.

According 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.