Birdstrike: CSA SportCruiser, N564SC; fatal accident occurred December 22, 2018 in Naples, Collier County, Florida

View of Airplane at rest.
Federal Aviation Administration

View of Snarge on Nose Wheel.
Federal Aviation Administration

Aft view of airplane.
Federal Aviation Administration

View of underside of engine.
Federal Aviation Administration

View of Underside of Engine Cowling with Snarge.

Federal Aviation Administration

Due to the accident, the pilot succumbed to his injuries on January 23rd, 2019, which was thirty-one (31) days after the accident occurred. This case was assigned just after the National Transportation Safety Board resumed operations from the government shutdown.

Stony Grey Stafford 

August 26th, 1947 ~ January 23rd, 2019 (age 71) 

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident. 

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Miramar, Florida

Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms

https://registry.faa.gov/N564SC

Location: Naples, FL
Accident Number: ERA19LA091
Date & Time: 12/22/2018, 1330 EST
Registration: N564SC
Aircraft: Czech Sport SPORTCRUISER
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Birdstrike
Injuries: 1 Serious, 1 Minor
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On December 22, 2018, around 1330 eastern standard time, a Czech Sport Sportcruiser, N564SC, was substantially damaged after it impacted trees following a bird strike near Naples, Florida. The private pilot sustained serious injuries and the pilot-rated-passenger sustained minor injuries. The private pilot succumbed to his injuries on January 23, 2019. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the flight that originated from Naples Municipal Airport (APF), Naples, Florida, around 1315. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.

According to the pilot-rated-passenger, after fueling the airplane to 20 gallons, he and the pilot departed the airport. They proceeded to climb to 2,500 ft above ground level, and about 25 miles east of APF, the airplane struck a large bird. The engine continued to operate for about 2 minutes, until the "low fuel" warning indicator illuminated, and then the engine stopped producing power. The pilot declared an emergency and elected to perform a forced landing on a road. During the landing roll, the airplane struck a road sign and several large trees, which resulted in substantial damage to the airplane.

An examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the fuselage and wings were impact damaged during the accident sequence. The nose wheel fairing and the underside of the engine cowling revealed evidence of a bird strike. Examination of the carburetor revealed that the butterfly valve operated without anomaly, however, fuel was leaking from the assembly. Examination of the engine could not differentiate the damage that resulted from the bird strike versus the collision during the landing. 

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 71, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Unknown
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: Unknown
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: BasicMed With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 03/05/2018
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 10/10/2017
Flight Time:

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Czech Sport
Registration: N564SC
Model/Series: SPORTCRUISER No Series
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture:
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental Light Sport
Serial Number: C0524
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection:  Unknown
Certified Max Gross Wt.:
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 
Engine Manufacturer: Rotax
ELT:
Engine Model/Series: 912ULS
Registered Owner: Jrs Flying Club Llc
Rated Power: 100 hp
Operator: Jrs Flying Club Llc
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: APF, 9 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 14 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1353 EST
Direction from Accident Site: 267°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Scattered / 3800 ft agl
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 5 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:
Wind Direction: 30°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:
Altimeter Setting: 30.12 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 21°C / 10°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Naples, FL (APF)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination:
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1315 EST
Type of Airspace: Unknown

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Serious, 1 Minor
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion:None 
Total Injuries: 1 Serious, 1 Minor
Latitude, Longitude: 26.166944, -81.516111 (est)