Amateur-built RV 4 accident near Middleburg, Florida, October 31, 2019

The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record

According to a family member, the pilot intended to conduct a brief local flight. A witness at the departure airport reported that he heard an airplane take off. He did not identify the airplane; however, about 10 minutes later the airport experienced a complete electrical power outage. The airplane was located in a clearing in a heavily wooded area. The wreckage and accident site were consistent with the airplane impacting powerlines before impacting terrain. Most of the airplane was destroyed by postcrash fire. The engine was examined, and no anomalies were noted. The pilot had recent diagnoses of several cardiovascular conditions that would increase his risk for an acute cardiovascular event, including severe mitral valve regurgitation, ventricular enlargement, and heart failure; however, there were no autopsy findings or radio communication to determine if the pilot experienced a cardiac event. Post-mortem toxicology detected the impairing medication gabapentin in liver tissue and urine, but it could not be determined if the concentration was at therapeutic or impairing levels; therefore, whether the pilot’s medical conditions or his use of medication contributed to the accident could not be determined. Given the lack of available evidence, the reason for the airplane’s impact with power lines could not be determined.

The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.

Photographs from the investigation 8 pictures from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them

Photo 1 – Main Wreckage, Inverted, right sidePhoto 2 - EnginePhoto 3 – Main wreckage, front view, powerlines in backgroundPhoto 4 – left wing view, invertedPhoto 5 – instrument panelPhoto 6 – view from powerlinesPhoto 7 – propeller blade, powerline impressionPhoto 8 – powerline, airplane in background

The NTSB's photographs with the NTSB's captions, at screen size. Open a picture to see it full size or to report one that should not be shown.