Airplane Was In Level Flight On A Heading Of 070° And At An Altitude Of 3,500 Ft When Radar Contact Was Lost

Location: Waterloo, AL Accident Number: ERA21FA010
Date & Time: October 7, 2020, 12:30 Local Registration: N251SC
Aircraft: CZECH SPORT CRUISER Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under:

On October 7, 2020, about 1230 central daylight time, a Czech Aircraft Works Sport Cruiser, N251SC, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Waterloo, Alabama. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

According to the pilot’s spouse, the pilot departed McKinney National Airport (TKI), McKinney, Texas earlier on the day of the accident, flew to Ripley Airport (25M), Ripley, Mississippi to refuel the airplane, and then departed for his home airport in Oakridge, Tennessee.

According to initial information obtained from the Federal Aviation Administration, about 35 minutes after takeoff from 25M the airplane was in level flight on a heading of 070° and at an altitude of 3,500 ft when radar contact was lost. The pilot was not in radio communication with air traffic control at the time of the accident.

The airplane was subsequently located in a heavily wooded area. It came to rest inverted and crushed.

All flight control surfaces were located at the accident site and flight control continuity was established throughout the airframe. The engine remained attached to the airframe and the engine controls were crushed. The propeller blades were separated from the propeller hub and all blades were located within the debris field. The propeller hub was separated from the engine and also located within the debris field.

The wreckage was recovered for further examination

FMI: www.ntsb.gov