Czech Aircraft Works Spol Sro MERMAID N853CZ

Summary

On 1 April 2010 at about 17:05 local time, a Czech Aircraft Works Spol Sro MERMAID registered N853CZ, operated by Michigan Sport Aviation LLC, was involved in an accident near Algonac, Michigan, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

1 April 2010 at 17:05

Classification

Accident

Location

Algonac, Michigan, United States

Nearest airport

Oakland-Troy (VLL)

Coordinates

43.6222, -82.5733

Aircraft

Czech Aircraft Works Spol Sro MERMAID

Registration

N853CZ

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Michigan Sport Aviation LLC

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Troy → Troy

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN10FA182

1 person died.

The pilot’s loss of control resulting from an aerodynamic stall/spin while maneuvering at low altitude.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

Local residents observed the airplane flying low along the river. They reported that it entered a bank in the direction of their residence and at one point the wings were perpendicular to the water. The nose of the airplane suddenly dropped and it descended, ultimately striking the dock and shallow water. The airplane came to rest inverted, partially supported by the boat dock and partially in the river. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not identify any anomalies consistent with a preimpact failure or malfunction. While Diphenhydramine, an over-the-counter antihistamine that commonly results in impaired performance, was found in the pilot’s blood at a level consistent with recent use, the investigation was not able to definitively conclude that the pilot suffered from impairment.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.