Frederick ROCKET II N561L

Summary

On 15 November 1999 at about 22:00 local time, a Frederick ROCKET II registered N561L, operated by William G. Wood, was involved in an accident near Coral Springs, Florida, United States. 2 people were on board and one died, one was seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

15 November 1999 at 22:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Coral Springs, Florida, United States

Coordinates

26.2398, -80.2691

Aircraft

Frederick ROCKET II

Registration

N561L

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

William G. Wood

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Fort Lauderdale → Fort Lauderdale

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

MIA00LA025

1 person died.

The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering (VSO) resulting in an inadvertent stall and subsequent in-flight collision with water. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper fuel management resulting in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation, and the pilot's use of a sedating prescription antidepressant drug.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot was maneuvering the airplane between 250 and 300 feet when the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power. The pilot pulled back on the control stick to gain altitude. The nose pitched down ward about 45 degrees, the left wing dropped down, and the airplane collided with the everglades. The engine was removed from the airframe and transported to an authorized FAA approved repair station. The engine was placed in a test cell, started, developed rated power, and achieved takeoff power. The Electronics International Inc., FL-2R (fuel quantity indicator) was removed from the airplane and examined in the presence of the FAA. Information retrieved from the computer revealed the right fuel tank stopped using fuel about 50 minutes before the accident, and the left fuel tank would of been emptied at the time of the accident. The fuel selector valve was found selected on the left fuel tank. Toxicology results revealed the pilot was using a sedating prescription antidepressant drug.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.