Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board: http://app.ntsb.gov/pdf
http://registry.faa.gov/N548SF
NTSB Identification: ERA12FA271
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Friday, April 06, 2012 in Everglades City, FL
Probable Cause Approval Date: 08/13/2013
Aircraft: WEJEBE JOSE CA8 -SF, registration: N548SF
Injuries: 1 Fatal.
NTSB investigators either traveled in support of this investigation or conducted a significant amount of investigative work without any travel, and used data obtained from various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.
Witnesses observed the airplane depart the airport to the north and make an abrupt right turn at an altitude of about 150 feet. One witness, who was also a pilot, described the wings as “shimmying,” appearing as if the airplane stalled before it banked to the right in a nose-down attitude. The airplane crashed and was nearly consumed during the postcrash fire. A postaccident examination was conducted with no preimpact mechanical anomalies noted.
Records indicate that the pilot built the airplane from a kit about 6 years before the accident. The pilot and airplane logbooks were not located during the investigation; therefore, the maintenance history for the airplane, and the pilot’s recent (and total) flight experience could not be determined.
Postaccident toxicological testing revealed metabolites of the drug diazepam (Valium) in the pilot’s blood and urine. Valium is a prescription benzodiazepine classed as a central nervous system depressant and tranquilizer, used as a sleep aid and to inhibit anxiety. The amount noted in the pilot’s blood suggested he took the drug 12 to 24 hours before the accident, and, as a result, it would not have affected his performance.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot’s failure to maintain sufficient airspeed during the initial climb after takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of airplane control.
HISTORY OF FLIGHT
On April 6, 2012, at 1645 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Comp Air 8 CA8-SF, N548SF, was substantially damaged when it impacted the ground shortly after takeoff from Everglades Airpark (X01), Everglades City, Florida. The certificated private pilot was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the flight which was destined for Merritt Island Airport (COI), Merritt Island, Florida. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
The pilot was a professional fisherman who produced his own fishing show. According to interviews with the pilot’s family and friends, he had flown into Everglades Airpark earlier in the week to film the show.
The pilot’s cameraman reported to local law enforcement that they did some filming on the day of the accident, and then he drove the pilot to the airport for his return flight to COI. The cameraman observed the pilot perform a preflight inspection on the airplane, and then walk toward the airport operations building to pay his parking fee. At that point, the cameraman left the airport, and therefore did not observe the takeoff.
A witness observed the airplane depart from runway 33 and make a sharp right turn at an altitude of about 100 to 150 feet. The airplane became almost inverted, with the right wing down, before it rolled back toward a level attitude. The nose remained in a nose-down attitude and the airplane banked to the left before impacting the ground in a 10-15 degree left-wing-low attitude.
Another witness, who was also a pilot, observed the accident airplane depart the airport to the north. According to the witness, the airplane took off with an “extremely sharp upward angle.” As the airplane climbed, it appeared to be “shimmying the wings,” which the witness described as “indicative of a stall.” He then heard a change in the pitch of the propeller as the airplane turned “sharply” to the right, “with the wind.” The airplane “flattened out” before impacting the ground.
PILOT INFORMATION
The pilot held a private pilot certificate, with a rating for airplane single-engine land. His most recent third-class Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) medical certificate was issued on February 24, 2011. At that time, he reported 1,208 hours of total flight experience.
Prior to the medical certificate issued in 2011, the pilot’s most recent medical certificate was issued on June 14, 2006. At that time, he reported 621 hours of total flight experience.
The pilot’s first medical certificate was issued on July 13, 2004. At that time, the pilot reported 30 hours of total flight experience.
The pilot’s family was unable to locate any pilot logbooks.
AIRCRAFT INFORMATION
The Comp Air 8 airplane was a single-engine kit-built airplane powered by a Walter 601 turboprop engine. The pilot was also the builder of the airplane, completing it in 2006, at which time it received an FAA airworthiness certificate.
According to the facility who maintained the accident airplane’s engine, the most recent maintenance they performed was on September 7, 2010. The maintenance was requested to fix internal and external corrosion on the engine as a result from standing outside at sea level.
A representative from Composite Technologies stated the accident pilot most recently brought the airplane to their facility about 4 weeks prior to the accident to have maintenance performed on the nose wheel. They also cleaned the airplane, as oil was appearing on the underside of the cowling and fuselage.
The representative also stated that the pilot often performed his own maintenance.
The pilot's family was unable to locate the logbooks for the airplane or engine.
Additionally, requests made to Comp Air for any documents regarding the building or maintenance of the airplane went unanswered during the investigation.
METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION
The wind recorded at Naples Municipal Airport (KAPF), Naples, Florida, located about 27 nautical miles northwest of the accident site, at 1753 was from 310 degrees at 12 knots gusting to 21 knots.
Examination of the Aircraft Operations Log for X01 revealed two entries by other pilots on the day of the accident. The comment regarding conditions at the airport, noted next to the entries, stated "14-22 KTS."
AIRPORT INFORMATION
Everglades Airpark was comprised of a single runway, oriented on a heading of 15/33 degrees. The asphalt runway was 2,400 feet long and 60 feet wide.
The overnight parking log for X01 confirmed that the pilot arrived at the airport on March 31, 2012.
WRECKAGE INFORMATION
The airplane impacted the ground about 275 yards east of the departure end of runway 33. The wreckage path was about 20 feet in length, and initiated with 2 indentations in the ground, similar to the shape of the propeller spinner. The propeller was separated from the engine and located prior to the main wreckage along the wreckage path.
The main wreckage was oriented on a heading of 050 degrees, and nearly consumed by the post-crash fire. The left wing was separated from the fuselage and came to rest on top of the cockpit area. The engine was separated from the firewall and came to rest adjacent to the leading edge of the left wing. The remnants of the right wing, fuselage, and empennage sections remained attached through cables and wiring. The vertical stabilizer was lying flat on top of the right horizontal stabilizer.
Flight control continuity was confirmed from the cockpit to the flight controls.
The airplane and engine were recovered from the accident site and a more detailed examination was performed on April 24, 2012. A detailed report of the examination can be found in the public docket for this investigation. In summary, the examination of the engine and propeller revealed damage consistent with power application (in excess of 94%) at the time of impact. The airframe examination revealed no mechanical anomalies, and the pilot's seat position was confirmed to be in the appropriate position for normal operation.
MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION
The Collier County District Twenty Medical Examiner performed an autopsy on the pilot on April 7, 2012. The cause of death was listed as Multiple Blunt Injuries with Conflagration. The report also detailed demonstrated marked atherosclerosis with 80% stenosis in the coronary arteries. The location or extent of maximal stenosis was not mentioned and no microscopic evaluation of the heart was performed.
The FAA Toxicology and Accident Research Laboratory, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma conducted toxicological testing on the pilot. Following were the results of the toxicological testing:
0.046 (ug/ml, ug/g) Nordiazepam detected in Blood
0.019 (ug/ml, ug/g) Nordiazepam detected in Urine
Oxazepam NOT detected in Blood
0.318 (ug/ml, ug/g) Oxazepam detected in Urine
0.08 (ug/ml, ug/g) Temazepam detected in Urine
Temazepam NOT detected in Blood
All three of these drugs are metabolites of diazepam (marketed under the trade name Valium), a prescription benzodiazepine classed as a central nervous system depressant and tranquilizer and used as a sleep aid and anxiolytic.
According to the pilot’s FAA medical file, he first obtained third class medical certificate in 2004. He was recertified in 2006 and 2011; the only medical event reported in the interim was an uncomplicated hip replacement surgery. He denied taking any medication at each medical examination.
TESTS AND RESEARCH
A LaCie Hard Drive was retained from the wreckage and downloaded in the NTSB Video Recorder Laboratory. The download of the recording revealed no content of the accident flight.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Fueling Information
According to records provided by COI, the airplane was fueled with 152 gallons of Jet A fuel on March 31, 2012. Additionally, the tanks and trucks used at the facility were inspected daily. According to the inspection report, no anomalies were identified during the entire month.
No fuel was purchased by the pilot at X01.
Additional Interviews
A witness observed the accident airplane flying a few days prior to the accident. He was standing outside his shop on an island about 3 miles from X01, when he observed the accident airplane "buzzing the island" at an altitude of 200-300 feet, performing steep turns. The witness reported the airplane approached the island from the northwest, and maneuvered over the island "low, fast, and in a steep bank."
An interview with an Operations Specialist at X01 revealed the accident pilot had a history of "hotdogging" at the Airpark. He often performed steep turns after takeoff, and in at least one instance the airplane almost rolled inverted. The traffic pattern for runway 33 required a left turn after takeoff to avoid departures over the nearby town. According to the Specialist, the accident pilot had been reminded on several occasions about the procedures; however, he often performed a right turn after departure from runway 33 and flew over the adjacent town.
The cameraman was interviewed by local law enforcement after the accident; however, subsequent requests for interviews by NTSB personnel were denied. Additionally, a request for video documentation of the aircraft flying in the area was also not responded to.
Law Enforcement Records
A review of law enforcement and FAA records revealed the pilot received four speeding tickets between 1990 and 2012. Additionally, his driver’s license was suspended in 2005 after driving with an unlawful blood-alcohol content (driving under the influence).
The pilot did report the offense to the FAA (as required), and a review of his most recent medical application revealed a comment in the notes section of the application which stated “arrest for DUI appealed and not convicted. Charged with reckless driving. License reinstated.”
A review of the pilot’s FAA airman file revealed no previous accidents or incidents.
NTSB Identification: ERA12FA271
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Friday, April 06, 2012 in Everglades City, FL
Aircraft: WEJEBE JOSE CA8 -SF, registration: N548SF
Injuries: 1 Fatal.
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. NTSB investigators either traveled in support of this investigation or conducted a significant amount of investigative work without any travel, and used data obtained from various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.
On April 6, 2012, at 1745 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built CA8-SF, N548SF, was substantially damaged when it impacted the ground shortly after takeoff from Everglades Airpark (X01), Everglades City, Florida. The certificated private pilot was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the flight which was destined for Merritt Island Airport (COI), Merritt Island, Florida. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
According to a witness, the airplane departed from runway 33 and made a sharp right turn at an altitude of about 100 to 150 feet. The airplane then entered a nose-down attitude and veered to the left, until it impacted the ground in a 10-15 degree left-wing-low attitude.
The airplane impacted the ground about 275 yards east of the departure end of runway 33. The wreckage path was about 20 feet in length, and initiated with 2 indentations in the ground, similar to the shape of the propeller spinner. The propeller was separated from the engine and located prior to the main wreckage along the wreckage path.
The main wreckage was oriented on a heading of 050 degrees, and nearly consumed by the post-crash fire. The left wing was separated from the fuselage and came to rest on top of the cockpit area. The engine was separated from the firewall and came to rest adjacent to the leading edge of the left wing. The remnants of the right wing, fuselage, and empennage sections remained attached through cables and wiring. The vertical stabilizer was lying flat on top of the right horizontal stabilizer.
Flight control continuity was confirmed from the cockpit to the flight controls.
The airplane and engine were recovered from the accident site and retained for further investigation.
The pilot held a private pilot certificate, with a rating for airplane single-engine land. His most recent third-class Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) medical certificate was issued on February 24, 2011. At that time, he reported 1,208 hours of total flight experience.
The wind recorded at Naples Municipal Airport (KAPF), Naples, Florida, located about 27 nautical miles northwest of the accident site, at 1753 was from 310 degrees at 12 knots gusting to 21 knots.
spanishflytv.com
Jose Wejebe, host of Spanish Fly
Jose Wejebe, who hosted Spanish Fly, a saltwater fishing show on the Outdoor Channel and formerly on ESPN, died when his kit plane plummeted into a field near the runway shortly after takeoff from Everglades Airpark.
Wejebe is the registered owner of the plane, according to FAA records.
Hs ex-wife, Lynne Calero, confirmed that Wejebe died in the crash.
“It’s awful,” Calero said Friday. “He was very close to his family. It’s a real waste.”
Wejebe, 54, was alone on the Comp Air 8, a kit plane that can seat six adults and two children, aviation officials said. They did not know where Wejebe’s plane was headed at the time of the crash, but said it was departing to the north.
The plane fell from above the 2,400-foot runway around 4:45 p.m., right after takeoff, officials said. It landed in a barren field adjacent to the public airport’s runway on privately owned land. The crash scene was not visible from the airport building.
“There was a significant post-crash fire,” said Peter Knudson, spokesman for the National Transportation Safety Board.
Smoke from the crash could be seen for at least two miles, the distance to the Marathon gas station where John Famiaglietti was working Friday.
“I saw the smoke, and at first I thought it was a house on fire,” said Famiaglietti, who later learned of Wejebe’s death from his boss.
No injuries were reported for others on the ground, but at least one witness saw the plane crash, Knudson said. Airport staff was gone for the day, and does not have to be present for pilots to use the runway, Collier County Airports Director Chris Curry said.
Wejebe was known for his extensive travels chasing big fish, which took him from the Gulf of Mexico to the Galapagos.
Born in Cuba, he fled to Miami with his family after Fidel Castro’s revolution, according to his website. It was in Florida that he learned to fish alongside his father at 8 years old.
As a teen, Wejebe bought his first boat with the money he made working at a gas station, his official online biography states. He ultimately became a fishing guide in South Florida, from Biscayne Bay to Everglades City. Wejebe was living in the Florida Keys at the time of his death.
In 1995, he made it into the mainstream when the first episode of Spanish Fly aired on ESPN-2, following him on fishing expeditions. A second show, Vida del Mar, followed on ESPN in 2001.
Spanish Fly was currently airing on the Outdoor Channel, and Wejebe recently had a special on National Geographic Wild.
His only child, Kristin Wejebe, 28, recently filmed a father-daughter fishing show with him.
“It was very important to her to be able to share that,” said Calero, who is Kristin’s mother. “She was so proud.”
Wejebe had a strong following in the fishing community. One of his social networking pages has 66,000 followers. Members of online fishing forums were lamenting his death minutes after it was posted on the Daily News’ website.
The cause of the crash could take months to determine, but the weather was relatively clear, Knudson said. An NTSB investigator is expected at the scene this morning and will spend several days there.
The airpark is on 29 acres on the southwest end of Everglades City. It sees about 5,000 flights a year, Curry said.
While Southwest Florida has seen several plane crashes in recent years, few have been fatal. Of four crashes in 2008, a total of 12 pilots and passengers survived in three separate crashes.
In the fourth plane crash in December of 2008, 74-year-old Benjamin Arthur Simpson of Naples was killed when his Cessna 172 crashed off the coast of Goodland near Cape Romano.
EVERGLADES CITY - Jose Wejebe, the host of a popular TV fishing show, was killed in the Everglades City plane crash Friday, according to the Collier County Sheriff's Office.
Crews on scene say the plane's tail number is N548SF. And according to the FAA, the aircraft with that number is registered to Wejebe.
Officials we spoke to say he was flying in an experimental, single-engine aircraft. The type is a CA8-SF.
Former Collier EMS Chief Jeff Page was chartering a boat when the crash happened. He said he saw the aircraft take off from the Everglades City Airport after 4:30 p.m. Friday and then felt the winds shift.
He said he thinks the plane got caught in a crosswind before hitting the ground and exploding.
"The plane popped up and it looked like it got its nose too high into the wind and it almost put it straight vertical," he said.
Page went on to describe the actual crash.
"The initial explosion of when it hit, there was no way anyone could survive it - no way anyone could even approach the plane," Page said. "It immediately burst into flames."
The intense explosion sent shockwaves through the otherwise quiet community.
"I had never seen anything
like hat happen in my life. I panicked," said Everglades City resident
Charlotte Ledford. "The smoke was horrible - one big huge gust of smoke
that totally engulfed the whole area."
Wejebe was the host of the show, Spanish Fly - a saltwater fishing show on the Outdoor Channel and formerly ESPN.
On Wejebe's bio page within the TV shows website it states, "In the present day, Jose enjoys his new passion of flying private aircraft."
The Everglades Airpark is located at 650 E.C. Airpark Road in Everglades City. It sits immediately southwest of the Big Cypress National Preserve, and is surrounded on three sides by the waters of Everglades National Park.
The FAA is still investigating the specifics of the crash.
The host of a popular fishing TV show was killed Friday afternoon when his single-engine plane crashed in Everglades City.
Jose Wejebe, who hosted Spanish Fly, a saltwater fishing show on the Outdoor Channel and formerly ESPN, died when his kit plane plummeted into a field near the runway shortly after take-off from Everglades Airpark. Wejebe is the registered owner of the plane, according to FAA records.
Cuba-born Wejebe was known for his extensive travels chasing big fish, which took him from the Gulf of Mexico to the Galapagos.
His ex-wife, Lynne Calero, confirmed that Wejebe died in the crash.
EARLIER
One person died Friday afternoon when a small plane crashed near an Everglades City airstrip.
The single-engine plane was taking off from Everglades Airpark.
"It went up and then it landed on an empty field next to the runway," said Jamie Mosbach, spokeswoman for the Collier County Sheriff's Office.
There was no confirmation on the identity of the victim, she said, adding that gathering information at the scene was difficult because the plane caught fire.
"There's no way of reading a tailnumber," Mosbach said, because the plane "was destroyed."
The National Transportation Safety Board, one of the federal agencies that investigate plane crashes, has been "notified of an accident and is gathering information," but has no further information at this time, according to Washington, D.C.-based spokesman Peter Knudson.
An East Naples fire captain said reports from the scene were "that nobody could survive."
"It doesn't sound too good," he added.
Fire trucks responded from Everglades City and Port of the Isles, he said.
The airpark is on 29 acres on the southwest end of Everglades City.
EVERGLADES CITY -
The host of a popular TV fishing show
was killed in the Everglades City plane crash Friday, according to our
news gathering partners at Naplesnews.com.
They are reporting his ex-wife, Lynne Calero, confirmed that it was Wejebe in the crash.
Officials on scene say the plane's tail number is N548sf. And according to the FAA, the aircraft with that number is registered to Wejebe.
Officials we spoke to say he was flying in an experimental, single-engine aircraft. The type is a CA8-SF.
Former Collier EMS Chief Jeff Page was chartering a boat when the crash happened. He said he saw the aircraft take off from the Everglades City Airport after 4:30 p.m. Friday and then felt the winds shift.
He said he thinks the plane got caught in a crosswind before hitting the ground and exploding.
"The plane popped up and it looked like it got its nose too high into the wind and it almost put it straight vertical," he said.
Page went on to describe the actual crash.
"The initial explosion of when it hit, there was no way anyone could survive it - no way anyone could even approach the plane," Page said. "It immediately burst into flames."
Wejebe was the host of the show, Spanish Fly.
The airpark is located at 650 E.C. Airpark Road in Everglades City. It sits immediately southwest of the Big Cypress National Preserve, and is surrounded on three sides by the waters of Everglades National Park.
They are reporting his ex-wife, Lynne Calero, confirmed that it was Wejebe in the crash.
Officials on scene say the plane's tail number is N548sf. And according to the FAA, the aircraft with that number is registered to Wejebe.
Officials we spoke to say he was flying in an experimental, single-engine aircraft. The type is a CA8-SF.
Former Collier EMS Chief Jeff Page was chartering a boat when the crash happened. He said he saw the aircraft take off from the Everglades City Airport after 4:30 p.m. Friday and then felt the winds shift.
He said he thinks the plane got caught in a crosswind before hitting the ground and exploding.
"The plane popped up and it looked like it got its nose too high into the wind and it almost put it straight vertical," he said.
Page went on to describe the actual crash.
"The initial explosion of when it hit, there was no way anyone could survive it - no way anyone could even approach the plane," Page said. "It immediately burst into flames."
Wejebe was the host of the show, Spanish Fly.
The airpark is located at 650 E.C. Airpark Road in Everglades City. It sits immediately southwest of the Big Cypress National Preserve, and is surrounded on three sides by the waters of Everglades National Park.
One person died Friday afternoon when a small plane crashed near an Everglades City airstrip.
The single-engine plane was taking off from Everglades Airpark.
"It went up and then it landed on an empty field next to the runway," said Jamie Mosbach, spokeswoman for the Collier County Sheriff's Office.
There was no confirmation on the identity of the victim, she said, adding that gathering information at the scene was difficult because the plane caught fire.
"There's no way of reading a tail number," Mosbach said, because the plane "was destroyed."
The National Transportation Safety Board, one of the federal agencies that investigate plane crashes, has been "notified of an accident and is gathering information," but has no further information at this time, according to Washington, D.C.-based spokesman Peter Knudson.
An East Naples fire captain said reports from the scene were "that nobody could survive."
"It doesn't sound too good," he added.
Fire trucks responded from Everglades City and Port of the Isles, he said.
The airpark is on 29 acres on the southwest end of Everglades City.
EVERGLADES CITY -
At least one person is dead in a
plane crash that happened in a field near Everglades Airpark, according
to the Collier County airport director.
He says the man was flying an experimental, single-engine aircraft. He added that the pilot left from Everglades City Airport after it had closed at 4:30 p.m. so no airport staff was around.
Former Collier EMS Chief Jeff Page was chartering a boat when the crash happened. He said he saw the aircraft take off and then felt the winds shift.
He said he thinks the plane got caught in a crosswind before hitting the ground and exploding.
He added the crash was so bad that he could not make out the tail number on the craft.
Our news gathering partners at Naplesnews.com spoke to an East Naples Fire captain who said reports from the scene were that "that nobody could survive", adding that the plane was on fire after the crash.
Officials with the FAA say the pilot was flying an amateur-built, single-engine aircraft. The type is a CA8-SF.
The airpark is located at 650 E.C. Airpark Road in Everglades City. It sits immediately southwest of the Big Cypress National Preserve, and is surrounded on three sides by the waters of Everglades National Park.
He says the man was flying an experimental, single-engine aircraft. He added that the pilot left from Everglades City Airport after it had closed at 4:30 p.m. so no airport staff was around.
Former Collier EMS Chief Jeff Page was chartering a boat when the crash happened. He said he saw the aircraft take off and then felt the winds shift.
He said he thinks the plane got caught in a crosswind before hitting the ground and exploding.
He added the crash was so bad that he could not make out the tail number on the craft.
Our news gathering partners at Naplesnews.com spoke to an East Naples Fire captain who said reports from the scene were that "that nobody could survive", adding that the plane was on fire after the crash.
Officials with the FAA say the pilot was flying an amateur-built, single-engine aircraft. The type is a CA8-SF.
The airpark is located at 650 E.C. Airpark Road in Everglades City. It sits immediately southwest of the Big Cypress National Preserve, and is surrounded on three sides by the waters of Everglades National Park.
EARLIER
A small plane has crashed in a field next to the Everglades Airpark.
An East Naples fire captain said reports from the scene were "that nobody could survive", adding that the plane was on fire after the crash.
"It doesn't sound too good," he added.
Fire trucks responded from Everglades City and Port of the Isles, he said.
The airpark is on 29 acres on the southwest end of Everglades City.
The pilot of a single-engine plane has died after the plane crashed in a field next to Everglades Airpark just after 4:40 p.m.
The plane had just taken off from the airport, but it didn’t get far.
“Something
happened to the plane and it crash landed in a field just off the
runway,” said Jamie Mosbach, spokeswoman for the Collier County
Sheriff’s Office.
The plane then burst into flames.
Mosbach said the victim has not been identified, and it is still unclear what caused the crash.
