Miller Raymond A SONEX WAIEX N461MM

Summary

On 3 October 2014 at about 13:35 local time, a Miller Raymond A SONEX WAIEX registered N461MM was involved in an accident near Palm Coast, Florida, 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

3 October 2014 at 13:35

Classification

Accident

Location

Palm Coast, Florida, United States

Nearest airport

Flagler County Airport (XFL)

Coordinates

29.6539, -81.2725

Aircraft

Miller Raymond A SONEX WAIEX

Registration

N461MM

Category

Airplane

Year built

2013

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Palm Coast → Palm Coast

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA15FA003

1 person died.

A total loss of engine power during cruise flight for reasons that could not be determined due to the postaccident condition of the engine and its associated fuel and ignition systems.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The accident flight was the pilot's first solo flight in the experimental amateur-built airplane, which had not been flown for about 6 months. The airplane departed without incident; however, about 10 minutes after takeoff, it experienced a total loss of engine power (as reported by a witness) and subsequently impacted in a tidal marsh. Postaccident examination of the airplane, which included disassembly of its engine, did not reveal evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions; however, the fuel system was completely compromised and the majority of the ignition system was not recovered. While the airplane had a reported history of fuel system issues, the logbooks were not located, and the airplane's maintenance and operational history could not be verified. Therefore, the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined. The pilot had no record of a Federal Aviation Administration medical certification examination. A limited autopsy did not identify any natural disease. Toxicology testing detected ethanol in muscle (0.082 gm/dl) and liver (0.082 gm/dl), as well as n-butanol and n-propanol. While the distribution of ethanol in the muscle and liver is not inconsistent with ingestion, decomposition and the finding of n-butanol and n-propanol in tissues suggests that some or all of the ethanol came from microbial action after death. Additionally, diphenhydramine and citalopram and its metabolite were detected in liver and muscle. Although diphenhydramine can cause significant psychomotor impairment, no blood was available for analysis, thus it could not be determined if the pilot was impaired by the diphenhydramine at the time of the accident. Citalopram is an antidepressant that is not generally considered impairing; however, it was unknown if the pilot's underlying psychiatric condition was under control.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.