Czech Aircraft Works Spol Sro SPORTCRUISER N282SC

Summary

On 14 May 2011 at about 23:00 local time, a Czech Aircraft Works Spol Sro SPORTCRUISER registered N282SC, operated by Highlight Sport LLC, was involved in an accident near Arlington, Washington, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

14 May 2011 at 23:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Arlington, Washington, United States

Nearest airport

Arlington (AWO)

Coordinates

48.1608, -122.1589

Aircraft

Czech Aircraft Works Spol Sro SPORTCRUISER

Registration

N282SC

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Highlight Sport LLC

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Arlington → Arlington

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR11LA223

1 person died.

The pilot’s failure to maintain control during the takeoff climb, which resulted in a stall at low altitude and collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s impaired performance from over-the-counter medications.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

A witness reported that he saw the airplane take off and noted that, from its liftoff point, about 3,800 feet of runway remained. The airplane was 50 to 75 feet above the ground and was oscillating. Although the engine sounded very smooth, it did not sound as if it was running at takeoff rpm. The airplane then pitched up and down several times, rolled left, stalled, and impacted the ground. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Oxazepam (a prescription benzodiazepine used to treat anxiety, muscle spasm, and insomnia) was found in the pilot's blood; however, the amount of oxazepam found was unlikely to have affected his performance. The amount of Benadryl (a nonprescription sedating antihistamine) found in the pilot's blood was in the therapeutic range, suggesting recent use. Diphenhydramine has been found to cause more performance degradation in therapeutic doses than a low dose of alcohol. It is likely that the diphenhydramine impaired the pilot's performance and contributed to the accident.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.