Primary finding
Probable cause
Was the failure of the pilot-in-command to maintain airspeed resulting in an inadvertent stall at an altitude insufficient for recovery.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The unlicensed pilot was practicing touch and go landings on a deserted road in the unlicensed airplane. He stated that ' the wing folded in on me ' and the airplane crashed. Examination of the airplane revealed that the wing and wing attachment structure was intact. The airplane fuselage appeared to be deformed consistent with a nose low, vertical impact.
Source record
Factual narrative
On April 30, 1994, about 1900 eastern daylight time, an unregistered, two-seat Air Creation homebuilt airplane crashed in Englewood, Florida, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged and the unlicensed pilot received serious injuries. The flight originated from a road in Rotunda, Florida, about 1830 the same day. The pilot's wife stated she observed him take off for a local flight to practice touch-and-go landings. He disappeared from view, and after 2 hours she contacted local authorities who initiated a search. The wreckage and the pilot were located in a wooded area about 0439 May 1, 1994. The pilot was evacuated to a local hospital. The pilot stated that as he was practicing a landing on a deserted road, the wing folded in on him, and he did not recall anything else. Examination of the airplane by FAA personnel revealed that the wing and the wing attachment structure was intact and it appeared that the airplane had stalled and landed extremely hard, almost straight down. No record of the airplane being registered was found and the pilot stated he did not have a pilots certificate nor medical certificate. -