NTSB Factual Report

HISTORY OF FLIGHT

On January 23, 1994, at 1130 eastern standard time, a Culver LCA, N72M, collided with the ground while maneuvering to join a formation flight of three other aircraft near Lake City, South Carolina. The personal flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane was destroyed, and the private certificated pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The flight departed Lake City at 1115 hours.

According to a witness flying another airplane, he and the Culver approached two Aeronca Champs from the rear. As he joined the formation, the Culver failed to join up but passed the formation. The Culver was next seen in a steep left turn which progressed into a stall/spin. The witness believed that, the Culver was attempting to join the formation prior to entering a descending stall/spin.

PERSONNEL INFORMATION

Information on the pilot is included in this report at the data field labeled "First Pilot Information".

AIRCRAFT INFORMATION

Information on the aircraft is contained in this report at the data field labeled "Aircraft Information".

METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION

Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. Weather information is contained in this report at the data field labeled "Weather Information".

WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION

Aircraft wreckage debris was scattered over an area forty feet square.The wreckage was orientated on a northerly magnetic heading. The aircraft was found in an upright position with the cockpit's roof displaced downward. Examination of the ground around the airplane revealed an imprint from the right wing leading edge. The engine was buried about two feet into the ground just forward the cockpit area. Examination of the flight control system failed to disclose a mechanical problem with the system. An engine examination also failed to disclose a mechanical malfunction or component failure (see attached engine examination).

MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION

The post mortem examination on the pilot was performed by Dr. Sandra Condra on January 24, 1994 at the Medical University in Charleston, South Carolina. The toxicological examinations detected the following:

Pseudoephedrine in the blood Pseudoephedrine in the urine Ephedrine in the blood 0.041 (ug/ml. ug,g) Doxylamine in the blood 23.00 (ug/ml, ug/g) Acetaminophen in the urine. According to the manager of the Federal Aviation Administration Toxicology and Accident Research Laboratory, the above detected levels were at or below therapeutic levels.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The aircraft wreckage was released to:

Mr. Harry Brooks (Insurance Adjustor) Atlanta, Georgia.

NTSB Probable Cause

WAS THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED WHILE MANEUVERING THE AIRPLANE WHICH RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF CONTROL AND THE COLLISION WITH THE GROUND.