Interavia E-3 N1535G

Summary

On 24 July 2002 at about 16:37 local time, a Interavia E-3 registered N1535G was involved in an accident near Santa Rosa Bch, Florida, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

24 July 2002 at 16:37

Classification

Accident

Location

Santa Rosa Bch, Florida, United States

Coordinates

30.3639, -86.2044

Aircraft

Interavia E-3

Registration

N1535G

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Destin → Destin

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

MIA02LA139

1 person died.

The separation of the canopy for undetermined reasons.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The flight departed at 1034, and approximately 5 minutes after takeoff, the pilot advised a controller at Eglin Approach Control that his flight was 2 miles southeast of the east training area. There was no contact with the pilot and that facility until 1134, when the pilot advised the controller that the flight was returning to his departure airport. A witness who was located within 1 mile of the accident site reported watching the airplane for about 15-20 minutes, and near the end of the flight, observed the airplane loop followed by several rolls. When the airplane was positioned nose down at a 45-degree angle, he and his brother observed a piece either 3 feet by 3 feet, or 2 feet by 3 feet separate from the airplane. The witness did not believe the airplane was out of control at that point in time. Review of recorded radar data consisting of primary radar returns revealed the last radar returns indicate the airplane was turning to the left; altitude information was not available. The airplane crashed into a heavily wooded area; no evidence of in-flight breakup or postcrash fire was noted. The canopy was missing from the accident site and was not located. Examination of the airplane by FAA airworthiness inspectors revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction of the flight controls. Examination of the canopy mechanism and engine by the NTSB revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.